M48A5 Patton

"A modification of the M48 tank of the 1970s, developed to modernize the remaining M48 tanks in service up to the M60 tank's level. The modification featured a new engine, armament, and fire control system. Apart from armor protection, the 2,570 upgraded vehicles were practically indistinguishable from the M60 that featured the same armament and engine." The M48A5 Patton is an American tier 10 medium tank.

M48A5 Patton
Turret: tier 10 M48A5 Patton

Turret Armor: 254/76/51

Traverse Speed (deg/sec): 40

View Range (m): 420

Gun: tier 10 105 mm Gun M68

Rate of Fire: (rounds/min) 7.19

Penetration: 268/330/53

Damage: 390/390/480

Aiming Time (sec): 1.90

Accuracy: 0.36

Engine: tier 10 Continental AC-1790-7B

Engine Power (h.p.): 810

Tracks: tier 10 M48A5 Patton

Traverse Speed (deg/sec): 50

Radio: tier 10 AN/VRC-7

Signal Range (m): 745

Pros

 * Great all-around gun, good alpha damage, ROF, fast aim time and top-rank gun handling
 * Good turret armor with 9° gun depression, works great when hull-down
 * Good agility and turret traverse
 * Best view range in the game at 420m

Cons

 * Cupola is bigger, weaker, and easier to hit than the M46's
 * Armor won’t stand up to gold rounds most of the time
 * Mediocre accuracy for a medium tank
 * Sluggish top speed. Slowest of all tier 10 mediums
 * Egg shaped hull might pull occasional ricochets, but is generally underarmored, especially on the sides and rear
 * Large target with poor camo values, trying to counter-scout requires great caution

The M48A5 Patton currently has the best view range in game and should be played with this in mind. At 420m this can be taken above and beyond the 450m hard cap with Coated Optics, which will help negate enemy camouflage.

One of the main improvements of the M48 over the M46 is the stronger hull and turret armor. The M48 is able to more effectively go hull down and bounce more shots with its turret, however it is not a good idea to stay exposed for too long as well placed shots and premium rounds can still go through your cupola. The gun depression on this tank is used to take a shot and then return to cover.

Having said that, the turret does offer moderate protection. The mantlet acts as spaced armor, although there is a hole in the center with no turret armor behind it. The turret is sloped, thus shots towards its edges may well bounce. Overall, the turret-mantlet combination offers reasonable protection.

However, much of this improvement in protection is negated by its weak commander's cupola. This is a weakspot so the driver must be wary lest it protrude from cover. In fact, the size and generally weak armor makes the tank a very attractive target for artillery and tanks, therefore be constantly aware and never stay idle too long in the open. With the gun's accuracy on the move, you would not need to stop for too long anyway.

Unfortunately, unlike its predecessors, the M48 cannot scout too well. This is because of its larger size, slower speed, worse acceleration, and team value. Passive scouting is a more viable tactic as long as you make good use of bushes, trees, and terrain, coupled with its best in class view range, the M48 can also counter-scout light tanks.