M48A3

The M48 Patton is a tier 2 Main Battle Tank originating from the United States, and is sold by Sophie Wölfli. It can be unlocked from the M41 Walker Bulldog and leads to the M60 and Leopard 1.

Features

 * Heavy armor : this vehicle's armor bounces more shots and takes more hits
 * HESH: can even penetrate armor with large hit angles

Player Recommendations
With relatively good mobility and a good gun, the M48A3 is a capable spearhead, using its speed and accuracy on the move to lead any charge. However, its hull armor is relatively weak, and if exposed for too long can be easily penetrated at medium ranges. Using positions to "Hull down" is the key to success, as the egg shaped turret can bounce a bunch of shots.

Pros

 * Excellent turret sloping to compensate for weaker armor
 * Good mobility relative to other tier 2 MBTs
 * Very strong HEAT rounds

Cons

 * Weak hull armor
 * Despite the good mobility, it still feels somewhat sluggish.

Upgrade Suggestions
The Improved Laser Rangefinder increases the accuracy of the gun, and leads to HEAT shells. Improved Ready Racks will allow a player to keep a larger volley of fire over the standard setup, allowing it to excel as a defensive lynchpin and armored spearhead.

Retrofit Suggestions

 * Advanced Muzzle Reference System
 * Augmented Optics
 * Improved Gun Breech
 * Improved Pioneer Tool Kit

Commander and Crew Skill Suggestions

 * Commander: Juan Carlos, to improve the aim speed and crew stats.
 * Driver: Spin to Win, Off-Road Driving
 * Gunner: Sharpshooter, Do the Twist
 * Loader: Rapid Fire, Explosive Shells/Preparation

History
Class: Main Battle Tank Developed: 1950-1952 Service: 1953-1960s Vehicles Built: 893 Operators: USA The Patton series of universal tanks is as important to the United States military as the T-54/55 series was to the Soviets and formed the backbone of the American armored forces from the late 1940s practically until the 1990s. Having evolved from the M26 Pershing Medium Tank, the Patton family was named after George S. Patton, one of the most famous U.S. generals to have ever lived. Right until their final versions, the Patton series tanks were protected only by their steel armor and used 90mm and 105mm rifled guns. The M48 was developed as a successor to the M47, which was considered an interim solution and was produced in the early 1950s as a stopgap measure, adopted as a reaction to the rapidly escalating war in Korea. The M48, on the other hand, was a quite further away in terms of protection and firepower, featuring a 90mm rifled gun and steel hull, recognizable from its predecessor by the rounded frontal hull plate edge. The original M48 was more or less still a prototype with 893 vehicles produced between April 1952 and March 1953. In fact, most were built before its official adoption into service. A few of these early M48s were mostly stationed in West Germany and have never seen combat (unlike its successor, the M48A1), but most of these vehicles (especially the first 120 pieces designated M48C) stayed in the United States of America and were used for training.