M48 Patton Tank

The M48 is an Army Men first generation main battle tank (MBT)

“It absorbs all the firepower the Tans can muster and a few well-placed shots from the tank’s cannon will cut the Tans’ day tragially short” – Sarge

This armored vehicles for battle are the backbone of every Army Men terrain force. Although for a long time it was the only tank in service (except for some remnants of the Grey World War) reach the point of being called “The Tank”, as if it were the only one in existence (although for a long time it was). And practically few of the newly molded plastic soldiers knew that there were other models of tanks.

Tanks can be paradropped (Army Men 3D “Train Station” mission).

The Green Army armored cavalry is well known for its ability to pack a punch. They are extremely useful against both ground and air units. Though spread throughout the lands to combat opposing army cavalry, don’t be surprised if you are asked to direct them in battle. Time to show what kind of a tactical commander you are, in addition to being a rotary master.

Introduction:

“The Tank” it’s the more prolifically used Tank in all Army Men history. It was the standard tank of all the Army Men Nations at the time.

The tank cannon is the most destructive element in the Army Men ground forces (They love that).

The Tank turret can swivel in any direction to deliver its devastating firepower wherever it’s needed. Just try not to get dizzy if you’re inside.

Unless they have heavy weaponry, the enemy can shoot at your tank’s armor all day before they get through it.

You don’t have to bother with chains or snow tires when you’ve got tank treads. After the discovery of the Real World, “backup wheels” began to be applied to tanks. They can take you over any terrain and most obstacles, and squish the enemy nice and flat.

Tank
Top Speed: Slow
Weapon: Cannon
Rate of Fire: Slow
Cargo: One unit

History

Introduced in February 1952, being designated as the 3mm Gun Tank: M48, later called simply “Tank”. It was designed as a replacement for the M26 Pershing, M4 Sherman, M46 and M47 Patton tanks, and was the main battle tank of all the Army Men Nations from there on. Numerous examples of the M48 saw combat use in various conflicts.

The M48 Patton was the first Army Men medium gun tank with a four-man crew, featuring a centerline driver’s compartment and no bow machine gunner. As with nearly all new armored vehicles it had a wide variety of suspension systems, cupola styles, power packs, fenders and other details among individual tanks.

It can be operated by a single plastic soldier, with a minimum crew of two being normal, one at the wheel and another at the cannon and machine gun. But some of its later versions could be handled entirely by a single crew member, even weapons (only one weapon at the same time as handling, not both).

The early designs were powered by pedals. The wheels of the tank are what was called a simple machine. The wheels, the simplest of the machines, rotate around an axle secured to the frame that even allows it to rotate, propelling the tanker forward when they pedal. The rear wheel, when rotating clockwise, pushes the ground backwards through friction. The ground reaction is what propels the tank forward.

Later versions used a several fuels derived from petroleum (from which the plastic that the Army Men are made of is also derived) from the Real World, however, pedal engine versions were still in use. Beginning in 1959, most M48A1s and A2s were upgraded to the M48A3 model.

The M48 Patton-series saw widespread service with the Army Men and other Real World toys until it was superseded by the M60 tank and then the Real World super weapons and materials. The tank’s hull also developed a wide variety of experimental, utility and support vehicles such as armored recovery vehicles and bridge layers. Some M48A5 models served into the mid-2005s with the Green Army original guard, and M48A3s were used as targets for weapons and radar testing into the mid-2010s.

Many M48s remain in service in nations other than the main nations. Most of these have been modified and their firepower, mobility and protection upgraded to increase their combat effectiveness on the modern battlefield. As of 2015, the Red Army is the largest operator with over 7500 units in service, Violet Army is second with approximately 5000 upgraded variants, and Orange Army is third with 3900 in service.

The Green Army has several of these in museums and military history study centers and sometimes you can see a modified and customized version in some of the most independent and extravagant companies.

Years before the conclusion of the Great World War, the Green Army Tank Command (GATC) drastically slowed or canceled many tank development and design programs. On 7 November 1950, the GATC mandated a change in the nomenclature for tanks. It was decided that weight designations (Light, Medium, Heavy) were no longer applicable due to changes in the way tanks were developed and employed on the battlefield, and the varying calibers of main guns now available. Thus the caliber of the gun replaced its weight designation. For example, the M103 Heavy Tank was redesignated as the 120mm Gun Tank M103 and the Light Tank M41 Walker Bulldog as the 76mm Gun Tank M41 Walker Bulldog.

The M47 Patton entered production in 1951 and was used by the Green, Blue, Red and Yellow armies. But ongoing technical and production problems kept it from serving like the main tank in the War. This forced the Green Army to field once again older tank models, such as the M4 Sherman, M26 Pershing and M46 Patton. In response, the Army launched several design projects for a replacement of the M46 and M26. The Green Army entered a period of frenzied activity during the crisis atmosphere of the Yellow-Tan internal conflict, when the Allies seemed to lag behind the Grey Army in terms of tank quality and quantity.

Testing and development cycles occurred simultaneously with production to ensure speedy delivery of new tanks. Such rapid mold production caused problems but the importance given to rapidly equipping combat units with new tanks precluded detailed testing and evaluation prior to its quantity production. Notable among these were the T42, T69 and T48 projects as well as continuing to pursue further improvements to the M47.

Compromise was inevitable, but not always welcomed, as General Plastro from the Yellow Army ironically observed: “We know exactly what we want. We want a fast, highly mobile, fully armored, lightweight vehicle. It must be able to swim, cross any terrain, and climb 30 degree hills. It must be air-transportable. It must have a simple but powerful engine, requiring little or no maintenance. The operating range should be several hundred miles. We would also like it to be invisible”.