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M3 Half-Track





M42A1 Duster







M55





LVT4



M48A1 Patton - they claim its a T48 rebuilt with M48A1 features. But the TACOM registry gives it a very high SN - 9487....





Neil

Neil,

I agree, not a former T-48. Driver's hatch is later larger type with fixed vision blocks. Not only were the T-48/early M48 hull hatch openings machined smaller but the hull was cast smoother for the vision blocks. The larger hatched models were casted with indentations for the vision blocks allowing for them to be fixed but not to high to aid with clearence when the hatch swung open. Small hatch version had the blocks drop to open. I think they were confused a little and this tank may have been originally a large hatch M48 with open cupola and was converted to the M1 closed type designated as M48A1. An Army directive came out stating all small drivers hatch vehicles would have open cupolas and be designated M48 and large hatch will have the Chrysler M1 cupola and be M48A1's. The later large hatch M48's were then converted by mounting the newer cupola. One way to tell if this was an original T48 is it would not have the tensioning wheel or any remnents of one between the sprocket and number six road wheel. The # 6 arm housing would be the same as the other 5 on each side. To my knowledge none of the T48's had a tensioning wheel and it was added to the design when production started.

Joe D