M46 HEAVY TANK (General Patton)

M46 HEAVY TANK (General Patton)
Image: M46 Heavy Tank (U.S. National Archive)
YearNovember 1949
Vehicle Type[@type]
Origin & Designer[@designer]
Numbers Produced800
Crew5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver & Assistant Driver)
Main Armament1 x 90mm L/53 M3A1 Gun
Main Armament[@sponson_traverse]
Elevation-10° to +20°
Turret Traverse360° (Powered 24/Sec)
Gun Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Gun Sight[@gun_sight]
Secondary Armament1 x .50 cak M2HB Heavy Machine Gun.
1 x .30 cal M1919A4 Machine Gun (Coaxial).
1 x .30 cal M1919A4 Machine Guns (Bow).
Smoke Discharger[@smoke_discharger]
Ammunition Carried70 x 90mm & 5.500 x .30 cal + 550 x .50 cal
Height3.18m
Width3.51m
Length8.48m
Combat Weight44.000 kg
Ground Clearance0.47m
Fording Depth1.22m
Trench Crossing2.59m
Obstacle Clearance0.91m
Climbing Ability31°
RadioSCR 528
ArmourUpper Hull Front: 100mm.
Lower Hull Front: 76mm.
Upper Hull Sides: 76mm.
Lower Hull Sides: 51mm.
Hull Rear: 51mm.
Hull Top: 22mm.
Hull Bottom: 25mm.
Gun Mantlet: 110mm.
Turret Front: 100mm.
Turret Sides: 76mm.
Turret Rear: 76mm.
Turret Top: 25mm.
EngineContinental AV-1790-5A (Petrol)
Transmission5 Forward & 1 Reverse
Maximum Road Range81 miles (130 km)
Maximum Cross Country Range[@maximum_cross_country_range]
Maximum Water Range[@maximum_water_range]
Maximum Road Speed30 mph (48 kph)
Maximum Cross Country Speed6 mph (10 kph)
Maximum Water Speed[@maximum_water_speed]
VariantsM46A1:
Quantity: 360
Year: 1951
Type: Basic improvements made.
NotesThe M46 was designed to replace the M26 as the main US battle tank. The M26 and M46 were technically the same tank except the M46 had a larger engine, better transmission and different exhausts. The M46 fought alongside the M26 in the Korean War, supplemented by around 680 M4s and 138 M24s and they proved more than a match for the North Korean T-34/85s.