M48A3 Patton MBT Tank Cedar Falls Vietnam 1967 Hobby Master HG5507 Scale 1:72

Hobby Master 1:72 Ground Power Series M48A3 Patton MBT Tank Cedar Falls 1967 Hobby Master HG5507 Scale 1:72 C Company, 2nd Bttn., 34th Armor, Operation Cedar Falls, 1967 Country: USA 1:72 Scale Item: HG5507 The M48 Patton is a medium tank and was the third and final tank to be officially named after General George S. Patton. The first version used in Vietnam was the gasoline engined M48A2 but was soon out numbered by the diesel powered M48A3 which became the most numerous US tank during the conflict. The M48A3s were conversions of earlier models so it wasn’t uncommon for many characteristics to vary from tank to tank. Some M48A3s had 3 support rollers while others had 5 and the headlight assemblies could either be the early or later type. “Operation Cedar Falls” took place in Vietnam along the Saigon River and the “Iron Triangle” region from January 8 1967 until January 26, 1967. Its purpose was to prevent Viet Cong/ NVA forces from using the river as a source of escape when ground troops moved into the “Iron Triangle” region routing out enemy and their supply sources and tunnels. This operation was the largest ground operation carried out by the Americans. In an attempt to destroy the “Iron Triangle” as an enemy stronghold civilians were deported, housing destroyed and Agent Orange applied. Specifications of the M48A3 tank Role – Medium tank Production Dates – 1952 – 1959 Number Produced – Approximately 12,000 Crew: 4 Dimensions Length - 30 feet 6 inches Width - 11 feet 11 inches Height - 10 feet 1 inch Weight: 53 Tons Performance Powerplant – 1 X Continental AVDS-1790-2A air-cooled diesel 750hp Fuel Capacity - 375 gallons Max Speed - 30mph Range - 310 miles Armor - 4.7 inch frontal Armament 1 X 90 M41 Rifled Gun (64 rounds) 1 X 7.62mm coax Machine Gun 1 X 50 cal Machine Gun