- Massimo_FotiThat data plate is italian. It says the tank was revisioned by "Officine Fiore", in Caserta, not that far from Naples. Back in those day the Italian Army's tank school was stationed in Caserta (it's now in Lecce)
Hope it will help
Massimo
Do you know how well concentrated are the places where Italian tanks served in Italy? For example, would it be reasonable to assume that all Italian M47s served at Caserta at some point (so I can add it to their previous location lists, and maps) or is that unreasonable?
- DontosTrevor
Here are somemore shots taken today of the cutaway tank. I found the Drivers escape hatch open. Was able to crawl into the drivers compartment and the turret. The interesting item found was the hull SN stamped into the data plate mount. The SN of the tank was 7693. Not sure why is got re stamped 20.
- SmashyRainwater gutters to stop water pouring off the turret into the hull & engine hatches.
- Massimo_FotiI think it's very unlike that all Italian M47s served at Caserta at some point. Even if a tank was revisioned by a plant in Caserta it doesn't means it served there too.
At firt the M47s were fielded by first line units, facing the north-east border with Jugoslavia and Austria. Later on they were replaced by M60s and Leopard 1s and moved to second line units in southern Italy, like Sicilia, Sardegna and Puglia. There they served for a very long period. In the end some of those units were disbanded, other got Centauro armoured cars instead.
I know for sure "Officine Goriziane" was another plant who revisioned M47s. I believe OTO Melara did that too, but I am not 100% sure.
- DontosTrevor
- SmashyRainwater gutters to stop water pouring off the turret into the hull & engine hatches.
That's interesting - is that from personal knowledge, or a suggestion?
Understood - I guess we need to track down and decode some more upgrade plates.
- DontosTrevor
Here are somemore shots taken today of the cutaway tank. I found the Drivers escape hatch open. Was able to crawl into the drivers compartment and the turret. The interesting item found was the hull SN stamped into the data plate mount. The SN of the tank was 7693. Not sure why is got re stamped 20.
...
Regards
Don
- Doug_Kibbey- TrevorLarkum
- SmashyRainwater gutters to stop water pouring off the turret into the hull & engine hatches.
That's interesting - is that from personal knowledge, or a suggestion?
They are, indeed, what we call "driprails" when applied to automobiles. I asked about these once over at Pierantonio Farina's "Ferreamole" website via email.
www.ferreamole.it/imag...m47_05.jpg
- Massimo_FotiUnderstood - I guess we need to track down and decode some more upgrade plates.
I think if you dig past messages from the forum you can find something. There are quite a few former italian M47s used as monuments in the USA, and I remember seeing some plates posted here.
Massimo
- worthhaggertonHello from Texas,
M47 rain gutters were added to US tanks also. You will see them on NG tanks during the 1960's routs here in the US.
Rain Gutters also show up on French and German M47.
Worth Haggerton
- DontosTrevor
Looks good.
BTW: This is the data plate on the rear of M47 (SN3200).
Regards
Don
- L.Delsing
Hi Trevor,
Is it correct that sn 3200 is unique ID number 1326 at your site? Because it has sn 3400 on your site.
Regards,
Lesley
- Massimo_FotiThe one in Thun isn't an ex-italian tank. It was evaluated by the Swiss Army in 1952, and lost against the Centurion.
Massimo
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