3AD PAO photo from
Jim Chorazy, Web Staff
 Photo Index      NEXT

1962: A Spearhead M-60 Main Battle Tank

Enlarge

  Note by Dan Fong, Staff: The 3AD received its first M-60's (105mm main gun) in 1960, replacing the M-48 (90mm). The M-60 was somewhat rushed into service as a response to the new Soviet T-55 (100mm) tank. As a result of this rush, the newly developed M85 .50 cal machine gun, which was designed to fit within the turret cupola of the M-60, was in scarce supply. The consequence was a period of time, as demonstrated in the above photo, when the older M2 .50 cal was temporarily used instead and was mounted externally on a pintle. With the fielding of the new M-60A1 starting in 1962-63, all 3AD tanks in the M-60 series would have the M85, which, while well-protected within the cupola, had certain disadvantages in close-quarter combat. The next generation main battle tank - the M1 Abrams - would revert to a fully external .50 cal.

Return to Top

Photo Index      NEXT