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Joe_D · Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:40 pm Post subject: Info on early M48 series

Some Serial Number information on the T48/M48/M48A1/M48C tanks.

Been going through some old dusty maintenance manuals and came up with these numbers. As far as I know this is the only comprehensive list of early M48 Serial numbers that identifies manufacturers and how many.

Chrysler Corporation:
1-6 Pilot Tanks
7-37 T48
38-554, 1433-1751, 1928-2761, 4398-4497, and 6575-7255.
Total of 2488 Tanks.

General Motors Fisher:
994-997 T48
998-1432, 1752-1927, 2790-4397, 4498-6158, 6347-6574, and 7256-7279.
Total of 4136 Tanks.

Ford Motors:
555-567 T48
568-993, 6159-6346, and 7492-7813.
Total of 949 Tanks.

Total production 7573 Tanks, to include Pilots, T48, M48, M48A1, and M48C
The following SN's were not assigned, 2762 thru 2789 and 7280 thru 7491. Total of 240.

An interesting fact is the production sequence is not in line with the SN sequence. Examples; Chrysler tank SN 6606 was produced before 4439, and GM tank SN 2790 was produced after SN 4397. Within the tanks produced by Ford their numbers fall in order, but are also out of sequence compared Chrysler and GM. Another quirk is that originally all production tanks were classified as M48's regardless of configuration. The A1 and "C" classification came later. Still haven't deciphered which tanks were "C"'s and may never get an accurate list without access to other records, but I am narrowing down which were built originally with the M1 cupola and those which were upgraded with it later. Having to do a lot of parts cross referencing with a little knowledge of what is unique for those features. One manual stated that in order to identify the correct part for a tank you must use the Serial number and manufacturer located on the data plate in the drivers compartment since changes during manufacture by the three producers and SN's are not in sequence. A tank can have both early, intermediate, and late features, depending on who made her and when. Everything from stowage, brakes, turret, etc, etc, have changes unique by SN groups. So far the only place to officially find the tank SN is on the Data Plate inside. I have found no reference for outside stampings, or if the SN's had a special character denoting manufacturer. Have seen numbers stamped in hulls but could not confirm if they were the SN's yet. Pretty sure all the answers I'm looking for can be found in a complete set of G254 manuals, but only place I know who might have had those was at Knox Mad

. Maybe an official FOI letter might get me access Mr. Green

Dontos · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:36 am Post subject: Re: Info on early M48 series

Cool Info Joe

As for access to the archives...(ie basement full of boxes & motor pool connexes)....good luck with that...

I'll check my archive stuff to see if I can find anything else.

Regards
Don

Rick_Eshleman · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:01 am Post subject: Re: Info on early M48 series

Joe,
Thanks for the info! Have You checked some of my flickr (brick6757) account out for the old shots from APG M88 Range? I have some more that I haven't loaded yet. There were at least 5-6 M48C at the Range being dragged all over. Rick

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