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I acquired Change 1 for the M48 TM which introduced the M48A1 model (Large hatch hull with M1 Cupola). It was not in good shape, so I digitally cleaned it up.

May not be perfect but much better than it was with all the writing and rips.

I figured I'd share it here since just about every TM 9-7012 out there doesn't come with all the changes (There are 13 of them) and they are hard to find. As I acquire and clean up the remaining changes, I will continue to post them here.

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Update Change Two:

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Update Change Three:

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Update Change four:

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Update Change 6:

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* Change 5, dated 12 May 1958, was replaced by this change and rendered obsolete.

Thanks, Joe!

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Thanks for the manual scans!

I have a some questions on M48A1 and M48A2 - when the commanders cupola adapter was adopted and why?
Why large hatch tanks needed this adapter?

Greetings to All M48 researchers!
Maybe somebody can help with information about early M48A2 fenders stowage.
I am searching details and photos of the right fender stowage - pump and track connecting fixtures, as well as covers on the fenders rear on both sides of the tank and on the left mudguard.

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Andrei,

I have been working a timeline of the M1 cupola and all it's issues that I plan to post here. Unfortunately I have other commitments keeping me occupied that have slowed down the work. To answer your question I can give you a simple synopsis until I do.

Initial M48/M48A1 production was carried out with the Chrysler TT cupola (M4), which was a stop gap until an enclosed cupola was developed. Unfortunately the enclosed cupola (M1) was rushed and experienced many issues. The first batch of M48's produced by Ford, GM, and Chrysler were then equipped with the M4. A select group of tanks were used to test the M1 cupola. This is when they realized it did not properly fit the current turret casting, resulting with an area where bullet splash could enter the crew compartment if struck between the cupola and turret. During the first production run of the M48, it also was determined that the Drivers hatch was too small to allow for quick egress, so it was redesigned to be larger. Just over 1800 tanks were produced with the larger hatch but still equipped with the M4 cupola. By the time production was completed on the first M48 contract the M1 cupola was still not installed. The second contract for M48's was given exclusively to Chrysler, and this batch received the M1 cupola. In order to install it, the turret casting had to be modified to negate the bullet splash entry points. These tanks were also large drivers hatch models. Earlier Large hatch models then had their M4 cupolas replaced by the M1 and used the adapter ring to eliminate the entry points. The turret castings have different part numbers which I can't remember (do not have my references with me) to reflect the change. The Army then ordered all small drivers hatch tanks to be identified as M48 and large hatch with M1 cupola as the M48A1. This only applied to US tanks, as later with the export of the M48 some nations upgraded their M48's with the M1 cupola. M48A2 pictures that have the adapter ring are actually M48A1's converted to M48A2 pilots. M48A2 production was concurrently being conducted while the second contract for M48A1's was being completed by Chrysler. That is why ALCO got the first contract for them. Production M48A2 turrets utilized the later casting designed for the M1 cupola. Chrysler then got the second M48A2 contract once their M48A1 contract was completed. Hope this helps.

Thanks a lot for this information! Very clear and interesting.

Update 6 posted.