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Anyone have info or photos on the M48 series turret castings? I have seen M48 and M48A1s with 7364154 and an M48A2C, M48A3, and M48A5 with 8694366. I have a drawing of the assembly above 8694366 posted:

Sheet 1
www.scribd.com/doc/385...4367-Sht-1

Sheet 2
www.scribd.com/doc/385...4367-Sht-2

I think the contours are the same as 7364154, but something had to be different to warrant a new P/N. I'm thinking there was a change to mount a different fire control system that made the two casting non-interchangeable.


Thanks,
KL

Kurt,

Funny you brought this up, since I've been studying on this for a little while and this is what I've figured out so far.

PN 7364154 turrets were the original M48/48A1 turrets that came with the Chrysler open cupola.



All small drivers hatch M48 and around 1800 large hatch M48A1's came with these. Aircraft Armaments developed their enclosed cupola which was designated M1 and was subsequently installed on M48A1 tanks. These turret castings had to be modified to accept the new cupola and were PN 8694366.



Then the Army issued an order to have all large hatch M48A1's in the inventory be upgraded to the M1 cupola, and that the M48 would be the only tank with the Chrysler version. An adapter ring was made to fit the M1 cupolas to PN 7364154 turrets.



In David Doyles excellent pictorial history of the M48A3 in Vietnam, you'll see both examples, since the A3's were modified A1's.

Later on M48A3's has a vision block ring installed between the M1 cupola and turret. The 7364154 turrets had to be machined to accept this modification. Below is an example that was later converted to A5 standards with the low profile "Urdan" cupola.



7364154 turrets that came from tanks without the Vision Block ring retained the M1 spacer and the "Urdan" cupola was just bolted on to it.



8694366 turrets readily accepted the "Urdan" cupola and no modifications or spacers were needed.



Mind you, this is based on the examples I've seen and photographs where I can ID the PN on the turret. It does explain the difference of part numbers nicely, and I haven't seen any contradictory evidence yet. Your question has given me a reason to post this info early.

Now that I've posted this theory (For the first time) some one will undoubtedly produce evidence to the contrary

That makes sense Joe. According to Hunnicutt the M1 cupola was approved in Aug 53. The turret drawing dates from Sept 53. My guess is that they "traced" the '4154 drawing to create the '4366 drawing that I've uploaded.

Any info on the casting or assembly part numbers of those various rings, spacers, or cupola shells?

I would think a M48A3 -34/P TM or an M48A1 SNL would show which parts went with which turret. Unfortunately, I don't have either.

Thanks again,
KL

Kurt,

Bulk of my library is M60, so my info is a little limited. It also don't help that there are far fewer examples around to inspect, especially those that are available to get inside. This is one area I am pursuing further and hope to get some more detail on the parts, kits (if any) and pictures to illustrate the differences. Just another bit of trivial info to add to my database of stuff on M48/60's that isn't published in books. If I find the info you want I'll be sure to share it with you.