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Joe_D

In reality the M60 was nothing more than a Diesel powered, up gunned, M48A2 with better cupola that was suppose to incorporate newer armor technology (the main reason why the front hull didn't remain boat shaped). So the steering wheel and wire seat among many other items were retained until the A1 came about.

If it wasn't for a directive forbidding the purchase of anymore M48's after 1959 she would've been called M48A3, and for a short while was called M51 to get around this until the XM60 designator was attached.

Nice find Mark, looks like the first run sent to Aberdeen for testing. Wish I could read the RN in the picture. The tank in the article is so new then that even the technical drawing is missing the cupola.

Doug_Kibbey

Special irony note to Mark's link.....

Scroll down to "President Kennedy's New Car" with special top, which he wasn't using when it most mattered.

MarkHolloway

Doug, I learned the same thing. I thought they always had the t-bar. In photo it looks like the tanks lack cupolas.

Doug_Kibbey

Having only served on M60A1's and A2's, I didn't realize the "slick sixty" had the same numb and dumb steering wheel as the M48's on which I trained. Having driven both, I thought the T-bar gave a much better and more intuitive feel than the "wheel".

Thanks, Mark!

MarkHolloway

Here ya go, Joe:

World's Toughest Tank

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