View source for M47 Patton

{{Short description|American main battle tank}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = M47 Patton
| image              = M47.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = M47 Patton on display at the 1st Cavalry Division Museum at [[Fort Hood]], [[Killeen, Texas]]
| origin             = United States
| type               = [[Medium tank]]{{r|2015_Hunnicutt|page=35}}
| is_vehicle         = yes
| service            = 1951–early 1960s (US)
| used_by            = See [[#Operators|Operators]] below
| wars               = {{unbulleted list|[[Korean War]]|[[Suez Crisis]]|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965 Indo-Pakistani War]]|[[Six-Day War]]|[[1971 Indo-Pakistani War]]|[[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]]|[[Ethiopian Civil War]]|[[Ogaden War]]|[[Iran–Iraq War]]|[[Somaliland War of Independence]]|[[Somali Civil War]]|[[Yugoslav Wars]]}}
| designer           = 
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = {{plainlist|
*[[Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant]]
*[[American Locomotive Company]]}}
| developed_from     = [[M46 Patton]]
| developed_into     = [[M48 Patton]]
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1951–1954
| number             = 8,576
| variants           = 
| weight             = {{convert|48.6|ST|t|1}} combat ready{{r|1953_TM_9_2800|page=119}}
| length             = {{convert|27|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| width              = {{convert|11|ft|6.25|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| height             = {{convert|11|ft|m|2|abbr=on}}
| crew               = {{plainlist|
*Five
**Commander
**Gunner
**Loader
**Driver
**Assistant driver}}
| armour             = {{plainlist|
*'''Upper [[Glacis#Armored vehicles|Glacis]]'''
**{{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} at 60°
**{{convert|8|in|mm|abbr=on}} [[Sloped armour|LoS]]
*'''Turret Front'''
**{{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} at 40°
**{{convert|5.22|in|mm|abbr=on}} [[Sloped armour|LoS]]{{r|2015_Hunnicutt|page=425}}}}
| primary_armament   = {{plainlist|
*[[90 mm gun]] M36
**71 rounds}}
| secondary_armament = {{plainlist|
*1 × [[.50 BMG|.50 cal (12.7 mm)]] [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2 machine gun]] (roof-mounted){{r|1953_TM_9_2800|page=119}}
*[[M1919 Browning machine gun|2 x .30 cal (7.62 mm) M1919A4]] machine gun
**One flexible mount at right front of hull
**One coaxial with the 90mm cannon{{r|1953_TM_9_2800|page=119}}}}
| engine             = [[Continental Motors, Inc.|Continental]] [[Continental AV1790|AV-1790-5B]] [[V12 engine|V12]], [[air-cooled]], gasoline engine
| engine_power       = {{convert|810|HP|kW|abbr=on|lk=in}}
| transmission       = {{plainlist|
*[[Allison Transmission|Allison]] CD-850-4
**2 forward ranges
**1 reverse}}
| fuel_capacity      = {{convert|233|gal|abbr=on}}{{r|1953_TM_9_2800|page=119}}
| pw_ratio           = {{convert|17.6|hp|kW|abbr=on}}/[[tonne]]
| suspension         = [[Torsion bar suspension]]
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on}}{{r|1953_TM_9_2800|page=119}}
| speed              = {{convert|30|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}{{r|1953_TM_9_2800|page=119}}
}}

The '''M47 Patton''' was an American [[medium tank]], a development of the [[M46 Patton]] mounting an updated turret, and was in turn further developed as the [[M48 Patton]]. It was the second American tank to be named after General [[George S. Patton]], commander of the [[U.S. Third Army]] during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates of tanks in battle.

The M47 was the U.S. Army's and [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps']] primary tank, intended to replace the M26 Pershing and M46 Patton medium tanks.<ref group=note>although the Ordnance Committee Minutes/OCM #33476 ceased utilizing the heavy, medium, and light tank designations on 7 November 1950; going to the "...Gun Tank designation")</ref> The M47 was widely used by U.S. Cold War allies, both [[SEATO]] and [[NATO]] countries, and was the only Patton series tank that never saw combat while in US service.

Although the later M48s and [[M60 Patton|M60s]] were similar in appearance, those were completely new tank designs. Many different M47 Patton models remain in service internationally. The M47 was the last US tank to have a bow-mounted machine gun in the hull.

==Design==
Although a new power plant corrected the mobility and reliability problems of the [[M26 Pershing]], the subsequently renamed M46 was considered a stopgap solution that would be replaced later by the [[T42 medium tank]]. However, after fighting erupted in [[Korean War|Korea]], the Army decided that it needed the new tank earlier than planned. It was deemed that there was not enough time to finish the development of the T42. The final decision was to produce another interim solution, with the turret of the T42 mounted on the existing M46 hull. Although this interim tank was itself technically immature, Army officials felt the improvements over the M46 in firepower and armor were worth the risk.<ref name="Proven" /> The composite tank, developed by the [[Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant|Detroit Arsenal]], was named the M47 Patton.

In December 1950 the Army awarded a $100 million contract to the [[American Locomotive Company]] for the production of 500 tanks.<ref>{{cite news |title=500 Medium Tanks Ordered By Army |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/12/07/archives/500-medium-tanks-ordered-by-army.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Universal Press |date=6 December 1950}}</ref> It entered production in 1951. Its main gun was the M36 (T119E1) 90&nbsp;mm gun with an M12 optical rangefinder fitted, which was developed as a more powerful version of the earlier [[90 mm gun]]s and were backwards-compatible with their ammunition (but not vice versa, the new cartridge case does not chamber in the weaker guns). The secondary armament consisted of two .30 cal Browning machine guns, one in the bow and one coaxial with the 90mm main gun in the turret, and a .50 caliber [[Browning M2]] on a [[pintle mount]] on the turret roof. The M47 was the last American-designed tank to include a bow machine gun. The T42 turret had a larger turret ring than the M26/M46 turret, and featured a needle-nose design, which improved armor protection of the turret front, an elongated turret bustle and storage bin which protruded halfway across the engine deck, and sloped sides to further improve ballistic protection; this gave the turret a decidedly lozenge-shaped profile. It also featured the M12 stereoscopic rangefinder, which was designed to improve first-round hit probability but proved difficult to use; the rangefinder protruded from both sides of the upper turret front, which would be a feature of American tanks until the advent of the [[M1 Abrams]] in 1980.<ref name="2002_Mesko" />{{rp|pages=41–45}}

Production at American Locomotive began in July 1951.<ref>{{cite news |title=Production Line Is Shown |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/04/17/archives/production-line-is-shown.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=16 April 1951}}</ref> Logistical and technical issues plagued production almost from the start.

Truman administration policy sought to strengthen American arms makers' resilience to aerial attack by encouraging more decentralized weapons production – away from Detroit. The U.S. curtailed civilian automotive production to boost military production with the onset of the Korean War. As a result, Detroit's newly unemployed automotive workers found little work, while tank manufacturers outside Michigan lacked skilled workers. Truman's policy also counted on civilian factories being able to quickly transition to war-time production. However, many factories lacked needed tank production machinery, done away with during World War II demobilization.<ref name="Decentralization">{{cite news |last1=Abel |first1=Elie |title=Tank Output Lags 6 Months; 2 New Types Unacceptable |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/01/07/archives/tank-output-lags-6-months-2-new-types-unacceptable-tank-output-lags.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=6 January 1951}}</ref>

A faulty [[United States Army Ordnance Corps|Ordnance Corps]]-designed hydraulic turret-control mechanism, shared by the [[M41 Walker Bulldog]], kept the tanks from Korea while engineers worked on a fix.<ref name="Decentralization"/> Engineers improved production quality controls of the hydraulics by April 1952, and set about correcting M47s sidelined in storage. By then Army officials had scrapped plans to send the tanks to Korea, in favor of providing them to troops stationed in Europe and at home.<ref name="fixed">{{cite news |last1=Abel |first1=Elie |title=Army Wins Gamble With Medium Tank; Accepts 48-ton M-47 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/04/17/archives/army-wins-gamble-with-medium-tank-accepts-48ton-m47-shows-its-worth.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=17 April 1952}}</ref>

The first M47s were not fielded to the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions until summer 1952. Standardized in May 1952, the M47 Patton's production ran until November 1953; Detroit built 5,481 tanks, and American Locomotive Company (Alco) produced 3,095, for a total production run of 8,576 M47 Pattons.<ref name="2002_Mesko" />{{rp|page=41}}

==Deployment==
[[File:West German Bundeswehr 1960.jpg|thumb|left|West German M47 in 1960.]]
[[File:M47 Patton San Diego.jpg|thumb|M47 Patton outside of the California National Guard Armory in San Diego, California.]]
[[File:M47 Patton Fort Meade.jpg|thumb|M47 Patton tank at Fort Meade, Maryland.]]
After the U.S. Army in Germany was equipped with the M47, the first M47s delivered under the [[Mutual Security Agency]] program were delivered to Portugal in 1952. In October the agency announced that [[NATO]] member nations had agreed to adopt the British [[Centurion (Tank)|Centurion]] main battle tank and the M47 as standard.<ref name="standard">{{cite news |last1=Sulzberger |first1=C. L. |title=Many NATO Arms Are Standardized |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/10/12/archives/many-nato-arms-are-standardized-some-u-s-guns-centurion-tank-of.html |work=The New York Times |date=12 October 1952}}</ref> By October the at Camp Drum in July, the New Jersey Army National Guard was the first reserve force to train with the tank.<ref>{{cite news |title=Camp Drum Receives M-47 Medium Tanks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/07/10/archives/camp-drum-receives-m47-medium-tanks.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=9 July 1952}}</ref>

The Marine Corps also fielded M47s starting in late 1952; after the Korean War, all seven Marine tank battalions, three divisional, two reserve training, and two force level, each fielded M47s. But these were soon replaced with M48A1 Pattons and [[M103 heavy tank]]s, with the last M47s being retired in 1959.<ref>George F. Hofmann and [[Donn A. Starry]] "Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces" {{ISBN|0-8131-2130-2}} p. 281.</ref>

American Locomotive production was halted in October when the company's ordnance and locomotive divisions went on strike. Production resumed in February when union leaders agreed to a pay raise.<ref>{{cite news |title=Union Accepts Pay Raise |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/28/archives/union-accepts-pay-rise-but-american-locomotive-local-tacks-on-two.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Universal Press |date=27 February 1953}}</ref> In December 1952 the Defense Department ordered cutbacks to M47 and M48 tank production.<ref name="stretchout">{{cite news |title='Stretch Out' Cuts Tank, Truck Output |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/12/10/archives/stretchout-cuts-tank-truck-output-slashes-to-start-in-few-months.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=9 December 1952}}</ref> In November 1953 American Locomotive halted production of the M47 after operators found drive gear defects in Europe.<ref name="halt">{{cite news |title=Faults Halt Work on Army M-47 Tank |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/11/22/archives/faults-halt-work-on-army-m47-tank-american-locomotive-co-acts-after.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=21 November 1953}}</ref> Army officials quickly acknowledged the issue arose from their own expedient decision to use lower grades of steel to circumvent wartime shortages.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tank Gear Failure Explained By Army |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/11/24/archives/tank-gear-failure-explained-by-army.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=23 November 1953}}</ref> Chrysler laid off about 1000 workers at [[Detroit Tank Arsenal]] when it wrapped up production in November.<ref name="Chrysler halt">{{cite news |title=Chrysler To Drop 1000; Slash Due This Month As Army Tank Contract Ends |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/11/03/archives/chrysler-to-drop-1000-slash-due-this-month-as-army-tank-contract.html |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=3 November 1953}}</ref> American Locomotive resumed production in November.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tank Output To Resume; Mechanical Trouble Had Halted Production at Schenectady |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/11/27/archives/tank-output-to-resume-mechanical-trouble-had-halted-production-at.html |access-date=20 September 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Universal Press |date=26 November 1953}}</ref> The company closed its tank division in June 1954.<ref>{{cite news |title=Production Scope Widened by ALCO |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/12/28/archives/production-scope-widened-by-alco-american-locomotive-enters-55-with.html |access-date=20 September 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=28 December 1954}}</ref>

With the arrival of the improved [[M48 Patton]] in 1953, the M47 was declared "limited standard" in 1955, and examples in tank units were replaced with the M48 series before long.<ref name="2002_Mesko" />{{rp|page=47}} After being declared obsolete in 1957, M46s and M47s were retained in active duty infantry division battlegroup assault gun platoons (four tanks each, one platoon per battlegroup, for a total of 20 tanks per division) until replaced with the light truck-mounted [[SS.10|SS-10]] anti-tank guided missile in the early 1960s.<ref name="FM_21">{{ cite book | publisher= Department of the Army| title= Field Manual FM 7-21 |department=Headquarters and Headquarters Company Infantry Division Battle Group | date = 8 August 1957 | pages =185, 205}}</ref> M47s were used by the Reserves for a relatively short time, soon being replaced by early production M48 Patton series tanks; thus, most of the M47s were exported in the late 1950s.<ref name="2002_Mesko" />{{rp|page=47}}<ref name="1999_Zaloga" />{{rp|pages=6,12–38,44–45}}

Out of the 8,576 M47s built, 8,552 (99.7 percent) were transferred to other countries through the Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) during the 1950s, forming the backbone of the NATO tank force for nearly 15 years.{{sfn|Zaloga|2024|page=61}}
 
[[File:Srednji tank M47 Patton.JPG|thumb|[[Yugoslavia]] M47 Patton - [[Pivka Park of Military History|Pivka]]]]
The M47 was widely used by many countries, especially [[NATO]] and [[SEATO]] allies, including [[Austria]] (147), [[Belgium]] (784), [[Ethiopia]] (30), [[France]] (856), [[Greece]] (396), [[Portugal]] (161),<ref name="1995_Greece">{{cite book |publisher=Hellenic Army General Staff / Training Directorate | trans-title =  History of Cavalry and Tank Corps |script-title=el:Ιστορία Ιππικού Τεθωρακισμένων | location = [[Athens]] | date = 1995 | pages=A9-A13, 58 | quote = ...beginning in 1992 the Greek army scrapped 391 M47 as part of the CFE agreement}}</ref> from USA and West Germany), [[Iran]] (around 400), [[Italy]] (2,480), [[Japan]] (1 for evaluation only), [[Jordan]] (49), [[Pakistan]] (100), [[Portugal]] (161), [[Saudi Arabia]] (23 from the US, 108 on the international market), [[Somalia]] (25 from Saudi Arabia), [[South Korea]] (531), [[Sudan]] (17 from Saudi Arabia), [[Spain]] (389), [[Switzerland]] (2 for evaluation), [[Turkey]] (1,347 from the US and West Germany), [[West Germany]] (1,120), and [[Yugoslavia]] (319).<ref name="1999_Zaloga" /> Like the US Army of the time, the West German Bundeswehr also used the M47 in a tank destroyer role until replacing them with the [[Kanonenjagdpanzer]] in 1966.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Blume |first1=Peter |title=Tank Destroyers Gun/Missile of the Modern German Army| publisher=Tankograd Publishing | date=2007 | page=57 | language = de}}</ref>

U.S. Army M47s remaining in storage were expended as targets.{{sfn|Eckles|1984|page=8}}

==Combat service==
[[File:Ruined tank in Hargeisa, Somaliland.jpg|thumb|A destroyed M47 Patton in [[Somaliland]], left behind wrecked from the [[Somaliland War of Independence]]]]
*Near the end of the Korean war, some M47s were deployed for field testing. Some of these had 18-inch searchlights.<ref name="2015_Hunnicutt" />{{rp|page=63}}
*France deployed a squadron of its M47s against Egypt during the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1956.{{sfn|Zaloga|2024|page=148}}
*Pakistan fielded M47s against India in both the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] and [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]].
*Jordan used M47s against Israel in the [[Six-Day War]] in 1967. The Israelis regarded the Jordanians as the best enemy tankers during the conflict. Jordan lost a total of 131 M47 and M48 tanks.{{sfn|Zaloga|2024|page=148}}
*The M47 was used by the [[Turkish Army]] in the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]] between July and August 1974, with an estimated 200 Patton tanks involved in the combat action. At least one operational M47, Serial Number 092273, was captured by the Cyprus National Guard and remained in their service until 1993. This example is currently stored at the camp of the 25 ΕΜΑ in Paphos for use as a training and a war-memorial exhibit.<ref>The Action of the Captured M47 in Attila II in The Unknown Soldier of Cyprus (Savvas Vlassis) 1997</ref>
*During [[Ogaden War]] the Somalis used T-54 and T-55 tanks to defeat Ethiopian M41 and M47 tanks.<ref>"The somalis used T-54 and T-55 tanks to defeat Ethiopian M41 and M47 tanks'. Soviet T-55 Main Battle Tank. James Kinnear, Stephen Sewell. Bloomsbury Publishing, 19 сент. 2019. P.142</ref>
*Iran sent their M47s to fight against Iraq in the [[Iran–Iraq War]] between 1980 and 1988. Iranian M47s were roughly equivalent to the [[T-54]]s but not as good as the [[T-55]]s, performed very poorly against much-superior Iraqi tanks such as the [[T-62]]s and [[T-72]]s. Large numbers of M47 Patton tanks fell into Iraqi capture by the end of the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://warfiles.ru/show-53302-amerikanskiy-tank-50-h-godov-poluchil-shans-na-novuyu-zhizn.html|title=Американский танк 50-х годов получил шанс на новую жизнь|publisher=warfiles.ru|access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref>
*The M47 saw small scale use during the [[Somali Civil War]].{{sfn|Zaloga|2024|page=148}}
*In the 1980s and up to the early 1990s, the Turkish Army used M47 tanks against [[Kurdistan Workers' Party|PKK]] guerrillas within Turkey and neighbouring Iraq. Turkish M48A5 variants replaced all remaining M47s by the late 1990s.
*Croatia used M47s against their Serbian enemies in the [[Croatian War of Independence]] but their performance was regarded as inferior to that of the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-designed [[T-55]]. The M47s were retired from service immediately after the war and are now used as gunnery/missile live-firing targets during military exercises.

==Variants==
[[File:Museo de Unidades Acorazadas de El Goloso (8615996063).jpg|thumb|Spanish M47E1. Note the engine deck similar to those on M60A1]]
[[File:M47E2-Patton-latrun-1.jpg|thumb|M47E2 at [[Yad La-Shiryon]]]]
[[File:Sabalan tank during Iranian Army Ground Forces new equipment ceremony 2014 (2).jpg|thumb|Sabalan]]
[[File:M47105 1.jpg|thumb|Italian M47 with 105 mm gun]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!
! M47<ref>{{Cite book |last=Department of the Army |title=TM 9-2350-200-12: 90-mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank M47 |date=October 1958 |pages=23–27 |language=en |author-link=United States Department of the Army}}</ref>{{r|2015_Hunnicutt|page=425}}
! M47M{{r|2015_Hunnicutt|page=426}}
|-
! Crew
| 5
| 4
|-
! Length (gun forward)
| {{convert|335.0|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|338.8|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Width
| {{convert|138.25|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|133.5|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Height (over MG)
| {{convert|132.0|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|133.8|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Ground clearance
|colspan="2"| {{convert|18.5|in|cm|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Top speed
| {{convert|30|mph|0|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|35|mph|0|abbr=on}}
|-
! Fording
|colspan="2"| {{convert|48|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Max. grade
|colspan="2"| 60%
|-
! Max. trench
|colspan="2"| {{convert|8.5|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
! Max. wall
|colspan="2"| {{convert|36|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Range
| {{convert|80|mi|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|370|mi|abbr=on}}
|-
! Power
| {{convert|810|hp|abbr=on}} at 2800 rpm
| {{convert|750|hp|abbr=on}} at 2400 rpm
|-
! Power-to-weight ratio
| {{convert|16.7|hp/ST|kW/t|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|14.5|hp/ST|kW/t|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Torque
| {{convert|1610|lbft|N.m|-1|abbr=on}} at 2200 rpm
| {{convert|1710|lbft|N.m|-1|abbr=on}} at 1800 rpm
|-
! Weight, combat loaded
| {{convert|101775|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|103200|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Ground pressure
| {{convert|13.3|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|14.5|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}}
|-
! Main armament
|colspan="2"| 90&nbsp;mm [[90 mm gun M1/M2/M3|M36]]
|-
! Elevation, main gun
|colspan="2"| +19° −10°
|-
! Traverse rate
|colspan="2"| 15 seconds/360°
|-
! Elevation rate
|colspan="2"| 4°/second
|-
! Main gun ammo
| 71 rounds
| 79 rounds
|-
! Firing rate
|colspan="2"| 8 rounds/minute
|}
* '''M46E1''' – pilot model, M46 hull with T42 turret, fitted with the M36 90&nbsp;mm Gun, and was longer to incorporate a radio, ventilator, and featured a [[stereoscopic rangefinder]]; only one built<ref name="2002_Mesko" />{{rp|pages=41,43}}
* '''M47''' – main production version, M46 hull modified with redesigned glacis, reduction from five to three track return rollers per side, longer mufflers on rear fenders; 8,576 built<ref name="2002_Mesko" />{{rp|page=41}}
* '''M47E1 (U.S.)''' – American designation for M47 tanks modified to use the fire control system of the British [[Centurion (tank)|Centurion]] main battle tank, complete with its [[Gun stabilizer|gun stabilizer system]]. It was rated highly by crews in comparative evaluation with other American vehicles of the period,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Eckles |first1=Andrew J. III |last2=Schmitz |first2=Melvin A. |last3=Willard |first3=Norman Jr. |date=June 1957 |title=Studies Made by Human Research Unit Nr 1, CONARC During Project STALK |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0134519.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630215432/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0134519.pdf |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=June 30, 2022 |website=dtic.mil}}</ref> but was not adopted due to the M47 reaching the end of its production life; up to 20 built{{r|2015_Hunnicutt|page=72}}
*'''M47M''' – The product of an improvement program started in the late 1960s, the M47M featured the engine and fire control elements from the M60A1. The assistant driver's position was eliminated in favor of additional 90&nbsp;mm ammunition. Not used by the US; over 800 vehicles were produced for Iran and Pakistan<ref name="2002_Mesko" />{{rp|pages=41,43,45}} All tanks were upgraded in a plant set up in [[Masjed Soleyman]] with US aid in the 1960s; following the [[Iranian revolution]], plans of upgrading Jordanian M47 and M48 tanks were cancelled.{{sfn|Zaloga|2024|page=148}}
*'''M47E''' – Spanish M47M austere version (kept original FCS).
*'''M47E1 (Spain)''' – Second Spanish upgrade batch with rearranged main gun ammunition storage and crew heater. Both new and upgraded M47Es. 330 converted.
*'''M47E2''' – 45 built. M47E1 with Rh-105 105&nbsp;mm gun and improved FCS (still electromechanical). Passive night vision for driver and commander. All M47 series MBT in Spanish service retired 1993.
*'''M47ER3''' – Spanish armored recovery vehicle. 22 built.
*'''Sabalan''' – Iranian upgraded version of the US M47M, It has side skirts and a newly built turret fitted with a 105&nbsp;mm gun, laser range finder, new fire control system and communication equipment.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/tanks/sabalan.htm|title=Sabalan - Main battle tank|last=ARG|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=30 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430034552if_/http://www.military-today.com/tanks/sabalan.htm|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/303021/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DA%AF%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%82%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%A9-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D8%B2-60-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3|title=بازگشت مقتدرانه قدیمی‌ترین تانک ایرانی پس از 60 سال +عکس|date=23 April 2014 |access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> Never used in active service.<ref name="Iran_interest">{{cite web |last1= Nadimi |first1= Farzin| url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/iran-may-be-renewing-its-interest-in-armored-warfare | title = Iran May Be Renewing Its Interest in Armored Warfare | date = 2017-03-27 |publisher = [[The Washington Institute for Near East Policy]] | access-date = 2020-03-05}}</ref>
*'''[[Tiam (tank)|Tiam]]''' – Iranian variant of the Sabalan fitted with [[Type 59 tank]] turret, new fire control system, new communication equipment, composite and reactive armor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-unveils-new-main-battle-tank-2016-4|title=Iran unveils new main battle tank made from US and Chinese designs from the 1960s|website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref>

''Additional equipment''

*'''M6''' – Earth Moving Tank Mounting Bulldozer. Bulldozer kit for the M47 series.
*Unknown name - Switching 90mm M36 to 90mm M41 which used by M48 Patton III.
*'''M47 with 105&nbsp;mm (France)''' – French upgrade with 105&nbsp;mm [[CN 105 F1]] gun, extra ammunition storage by removing assistant driver position, and infrared spotlight.{{r|2015_Hunnicutt|page=75}}
*'''M47 with 105&nbsp;mm (Italy)''' – Italian upgrade with [[OTO Melara]] [[Royal Ordnance L7|105 mm L/52]] gun, new fire control systems, and new AVDS-1790-2A diesel engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/m47-patton-in-italian-service/|title=M47 Patton in Italian Service|date=23 August 2020|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref>

==Operators==

===Current===
* {{flag|Iran}} − In 1994, it was estimated that Iran had 100 M47 tanks (upgraded to the M47M standard) out of 400 originally delivered{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=140}} 148 M47 and M48 as of 2024.{{sfn|IISS|2024|pages=352−353}}

===Former===
[[File:M47 Patton II - Dresden.jpg|thumb|M47 Patton II in museum in Dresden, Germany.]]
[[File:m47dwg.jpg|thumb|Line drawing of the M47.]]
* {{flag|Austria}}{{sfn|Foss|1979|page=89}}
* {{flag|Belgium}}{{sfn|Foss|1979|page=89}}
* {{BIH}}{{sfn|Department of Defense|1998|page=A-4}}
* {{flag|Croatia}} – Around 20 were used during the Croatian War of Independence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCalister |first1=Lucy |title=The History of the M47 |url=https://tankmuseum.org/article/history-of-the-m47 |website=The Tank Museum |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=27 June 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ethiopia|1975}} – Approximately 30 acquired second-hand from Yugoslavia in 1977,<ref>{{cite web
| url          = https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferData/transferDetail?entityId=269580
| title        = Arms Transfers Database: Transfer data; Yugoslavia to Ethiopia, delivered 1977
| author       = <!--Not stated-->
| date         = <!--Not stated-->
| website      = SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
| publisher    = [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]
| type         = Searchable database
| at           = Recipient ''ETH'', weapon category ''Armoured vehicles'', designation contains ''M-4''
| access-date  = 17 June 2024
}}</ref> without the US permission.{{sfn|Bradsher|1977|page=11}}
* {{flag|France}} – 856 (1954–1970) One of the tanks was converted with the [[105 mm Modèle F1|105mm gun]] developed for the [[AMX-30]], including modifications to the gun breech assembly and ammunition racks.<ref name="2015_Hunnicutt" />{{rp|page=75}}
* {{flag|West Germany}}{{sfn|Foss|1979|page=89}}
* {{flag|Greece|1970}} – 350 in 1994.{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=140}}
* {{flagcountry|Ba'athist Iraq}} – Prior to the [[Gulf War]], Iraq had a handful of M47s captured from Iran.{{sfn|Hogg|1991|page=38}}
* {{flag|Italy}} – 300 were in reserve in 1994.{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=140}}
* {{flag|Jordan}}{{sfn|Foss|1979|page=89}} – Acquired about 50 from the United States in the mid-1960s, as well as 60 captured Iranian M47s and [[M48 Patton|M48s]] from Iraq in 1988.<ref name="sipri-usa-jor">{{cite web
| url          = https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferData/transferDetail?entityId=276270
| title        = Arms Transfers Database: Transfer data; USA to Jordan, ordered 1964
| author       = <!--Not stated-->
| date         = <!--Not stated-->
| website      = SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
| publisher    = Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
| type         = Searchable database
| access-date  = 17 June 2024
}}</ref><ref name="sipri-irq-jor">{{cite web
| url          = https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferData/transferDetail?entityId=240958
| title        = Arms Transfers Database: Transfer data; Iraq to Jordan, ordered 1988
| author       = <!--Not stated-->
| date         = <!--Not stated-->
| website      = SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
| publisher    = Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
| type         = Searchable database
| access-date  = 17 June 2024
| quote        = Second-hand (captured by Iraq from Iran and given to Jordan); incl some M-48A5 tanks
}}</ref>
* {{flag|Pakistan}} – 150 in 1994, rebuilt to the M47M standard.{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=140}}
<!-- Please do not add the Philippines unless you can provide proof -->
* {{flag|Portugal}}{{sfn|Foss|1979|page=89}}
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}{{sfn|Foss|1979|page=89}}
* {{flag|Serbia and Montenegro}} − 60 in 1994,{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=140}} inherited from ex-Yugoslav stocks.
* {{flag|Somalia}} – 100, no longer operational by 1994.{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=140}}
* {{flag|South Korea|1949}} – 300 in 1994.{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=140}}
* {{flag|Spain}} – 375 in 1994, scrapped.{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=140}}
* {{flag|Taiwan}}{{sfn|Foss|1979|page=89}}
* {{flag|Turkey}} – 767 were in reserve in 1994.{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=140}}
* {{flagu|United States|1912}} − Phased out by the late 1950s.{{sfn|Zaloga|2024|page=61}}
* {{flag|Yugoslavia}}{{sfn|Foss|1979|page=89}}

===Non-state===
* {{flagcountry|Republika Srpska (1992–1995)}}{{sfn|Department of Defense|1998|page=A-4}}
* {{flagicon image|State Flag of Serbian Krajina (1991).svg}} [[Republic of Serbian Krajina|Serbian Krajina]]{{sfn|Department of Defense|1998|page=A-4}}

===Evaluation only===
* {{flag|Japan|1870}} – One M47 was provided for evaluation, and used as reference for the [[Type 61 (tank)#Development|STA (Type 61 tank prototype)]] development. After being used for comparison with prototype vehicles of STA and technical analysis, it was disposed of. This tank was not [[scrapped]], and is kept in a [[private collection]] (not open to the public as of 2021).<ref>[http://shachonokobeya.blog71.fc2.com/blog-entry-186.html {{lang|ja|カマド「社長の小部屋」web版,2010-08「中田商店コレクション」}}](k-m-d Co., Ltd.owner's blog|2010-08|"Nakata-shouten's Collection")accessdate:2021-08-25</ref>

===Civilian===
* {{flagu|United States}} – 1 former [[Austrian Federal Army|Austrian Army]] M47 owned by [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. He previously operated the vehicle (331) during his mandatory service in 1965, which he later obtained in 1992 and now uses to support his charity.<ref name="Yahoo-2013">{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2013 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger takes his own personal tank out for a spin |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bp/arnold-schwarzenegger-takes-own-personal-tank-spin-000359471.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALoKyAD8BfAszlUAjxNz_uk2llg7ejHjx-wQ89VcnbTIeM53qfabjtlwM8rkuhFeUN2dnZLXkxfJvpk5qh8d9mqvI4VmbJc7YQVcOUMV1kNVY7LyXl0Q7YN6Jr_-UAWC8lkqZROH4JdW_axEr9P-s7jBKa2Ctrd4epa-aMwZZg-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726101112/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bp/arnold-schwarzenegger-takes-own-personal-tank-spin-000359471.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALoKyAD8BfAszlUAjxNz_uk2llg7ejHjx-wQ89VcnbTIeM53qfabjtlwM8rkuhFeUN2dnZLXkxfJvpk5qh8d9mqvI4VmbJc7YQVcOUMV1kNVY7LyXl0Q7YN6Jr_-UAWC8lkqZROH4JdW_axEr9P-s7jBKa2Ctrd4epa-aMwZZg-4 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |access-date=May 4, 2025 |website=yahoo!}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Centurion (Tank)|Centurion]] – British Tank
*[[T-54]] – Soviet tank
*[[Type 61 (tank)|Type 61]] – Japanese tank
*[[Panzer 58]] – Swiss tank
*[[M26 Pershing]]
*[[M46 Patton]]
*[[M48 Patton]]
*[[M60 Patton]]
*[[List of armoured fighting vehicles]]
*[[M103 (heavy tank)]]
*[[G-numbers]] SNL G262

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="2015_Hunnicutt">{{cite book | last1 = Hunnicutt | first1 = R. P. | author-link = R. P. Hunnicutt | date = 2015-05-29 | title = Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank | language = en | publisher = Echo Point Books & Media | isbn = 978-1-62654-159-7 | lccn = 84016586 | ol = OL2854160M | ref = 2015_Hunnicutt}}</ref>

<ref name="1953_TM_9_2800">{{cite book | author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date = 1953 | title = TM 9-2800. Military Vehicles. (Ordnance Corps Responsibility) | language = en-us | publisher = [[United States Government Publishing Office]] | asin = B00DJU9HS4 | oclc = 222283828}}</ref>

<ref name="Proven">{{cite news |last1 = Abel |first1 = Elie | author-link = Elie Abel |title = Defective Tanks Pile Up In Depots | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1952/01/08/archives/defective-tanks-pile-up-in-depots-rushed-into-production-new-models.html | access-date=13 September 2018 | location = [[Detroit]] |work = [[The New York Times]] | date = 8 January 1952 |quote = "DETROIT, Jan. 7 -- The new tanks rushed into production after the Communist assault on the Republic of Korea eighteen months ago have not yet been issued to the troops because they are unacceptable to the Army Field Forces." | url-access = subscription }}</ref>

<ref name="2002_Mesko">{{cite book | last1 = Mesko | first1 = Jim | title = Pershing/ Patton in action: T26/ M26/ M46 Pershing and M47 Patton - Armor No. 40  | date = July 2002 | language = en |  edition = 1st | publisher = Squadron/Signal Publications | isbn = 978-0-89747-442-9 | ref = 2002_Mesko}}</ref>

<ref name="1999_Zaloga">{{cite book | last1 = Zaloga | first1 = Steven J. | author-link = Steven Zaloga | date = 1999-07-01 | title = The M47 and M48 Patton Tanks (New Vanguard) | series = New Vanguard (Book 31) | language = en | others = Illustrated by Jim Laurier | edition = 1st | publisher = [[Osprey Publishing]] | isbn = 978-1-85532-825-9 | ol = OL8993099M | oclc = 43633333 | ref = 1999_Zaloga}}</ref>
}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite news |last1=Bradsher |first1=Henry S. |title=Tito Sent U.S. Tanks to Ethiopian Junta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8QsBSjLVsZUC&dq=m47+yugoslavia&pg=RA5-PA10 |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=AF Press Clips |agency=[[The Washington Star]] |publisher=Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State, U.S.A. |date=4 October 1977 |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=[[Department of Defense]] |title=Bosnia: Country Handbook |date=1998 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=978-0-7881-4798-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-na9Xde4pOEC |access-date=5 September 2025 |language=en}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Eckles |first1=Jim |editor1-last=Kirkpatrick |editor1-first=LTC David G |editor2-last=Bleicher |editor2-first=Harvey L |editor3-last=Magga |editor3-first=Deborah D |title=Missiles from A to Z... The Role of White Sands Missile Range in Fielding Missile Systems |journal=Army R, D & A. |date=January–February 1984 |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=7−9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CQftfbKyZysC |access-date=23 November 2024 |publisher=Development and Engineering Directorate, HQ, U.S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command |location=Alexandria, VA |language=en |issn=0162-7082 |quote=White Sands can provide a variety of ground and aerial targets. Stationary and remotely piloted M47 tanks and plywood simulations are available as ground targets.}}
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F |editor1-link=Christopher F Foss |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 1979–80 |publisher=Jane's Publishing Company |location=London |year=1979 |isbn=0-354-00588-X |pages= |edition=1st |chapter= |url=https://archive.org/details/janesarmourartil0000unse_e3c2}}
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 1994−1995 |date=1994 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Surrey |isbn=0-7106-1154-4 |edition=15th}}
*{{cite book |last1=Hogg |first1=Ian V. |author1-link=Ian V. Hogg |title=Weapons of the Gulf War |date=1991 |publisher=Random House Value Publishing |isbn=978-0-517-06672-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zHEkP6RuB4wC&q=m47+tank+iraq |language=en}}
*{{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Six: Middle East and North Africa |journal=The Military Balance |date=12 February 2024 |volume=124 |issue=1 |pages=328–395 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2024.2298594 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2024.2298594 |access-date=24 November 2024 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |language=en |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{sfnref|IISS|2024}}|url-access=subscription |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}
*{{cite book |last1=Zaloga |first1=Steven J. |author1-link=Steven J. Zaloga |title=US Battle Tanks 1946–2025 |date=2024 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4728-6571-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fJkqEQAAQBAJ |language=en}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|M47 Patton}}
*[http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m47patton.html AFV Database: M47 Patton]
*[http://www.patton-mania.com/ Patton-Mania]
*[http://www.primeportal.net/apc/m47_patton_tank.htm M47 Photos and Walk Arounds on Prime Portal]
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=XNwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA88 "Army's Latest Medium Tank Features Lethal Firepower."] ''Popular Mechanics'', June 1952, p.&nbsp;88. early public relation article for M-47.

{{US tanks|style=wide}}
{{Cold War tanks|style=wide}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cold War tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Medium tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Medium tanks of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1950s]]
[[Category:Tanks named after individuals]]