M46

This page is about the American medium tank M46. For the premium vehicle, see M46 "Tiger".

M46

M26

M47

M46

M26

M47

USA

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
7.0	7.0	6.7

Class:

Medium tank

Research:71 000

Purchase:210 000

Description

The end of World War II left the US Army in a state of demobilization, with budget cuts interfering with many of the US Army's projects, including those aiming to continually improve the tank fleet that began seeing the M26 Pershing put into the service. Without the funds for a major overhaul, it was decided to modernize their existing M26s in 1946. The first prototype was created in 1948, with the project large enough that by its acceptance it was designated the M46. The M46 would see itself put into action sooner than expected with the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, where it served alongside its predecessors against Korean and Chinese troops. By the end of the war, with newer tanks like the M47 coming into service, the M46 was retired from US service but continued to serve for a few more years as foreign aid.

The Medium Tank M46 Patton, introduced with the American ground tree in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals", is an improved version of the M26 Pershing. The two biggest shortcomings of the M26, the mobility and firepower, have been improved on to allow a better player experience with the tank. The M46 can stand up against most enemies it faces with the improved firepower of the HEAT-FS shell, but should take care that the enemy doesn't get the first shot off as the armour remains the same otherwise.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Hull101 / 76 / 50

Turret101 / 76 / 76

Crew5 people

Visibility109 %

The researchable add-on armour adds mesh screens around the turret to increase survivability to chemical projectiles.

Armour type:

• Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Front)
• Rolled homogeneous armour (Side, Rear, Roof)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	101.6 mm (42-46°) Front Glacis 162.5 mm (25-60°) Upper front glacis 76.2 mm (26-53°) Lower Glacis	76.2 mm Front 50.8 mm (0-9°) Rear	50.8 mm Top 22.2 mm (65°) Bottom	22.2 mm
Turret	101.6 mm (1-55°) Turret front 114.3 mm (1-84°) Gun mantlet	76.2 mm (3-54°)	76.2 mm (0-79°)	25.4 mm
Cupola	76.2 mm	76.2 mm	76.2 mm	25.4 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
• Belly armour is 25.4 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB54 / 22 km/h

RB and SB49 / 20 km/h

Number of gears6 forward

2 back

Weight43.9 t

Engine power

AB1 545 hp

RB and SB810 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB35.2 hp/t

RB and SB18.5 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)		Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse	Stock	AoA	Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	54	22	43.7	0.2	1,255	1,545	28.72	35.19
Realistic	49	20			716	810	16.38	18.45

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 449 → 4 707

RB3 934 → 5 369

SB5 140 → 7 016

Total cost of modifications61 400

102 500

Talisman cost1 800

Crew training61 000

Experts210 000

Aces890

Research Aces570 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

120 / 180 / 210 %

178 / 178 / 178 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 190 Suspension Research: 2 800 Cost: 4 700 170 Brake System Research: 2 800 Cost: 4 700 170 Filters Research: 3 800 Cost: 6 300 230 Transmission Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 500 200 Engine Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 500 200	Improved Parts Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 190 Improved FPE Research: 2 800 Cost: 4 700 170 Crew Replenishment Research: 3 800 Cost: 6 300 230 Add-on Armor Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 500 200	Horizontal Drive Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 190 90mm_us_M82_APCBC_ammo_pack Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 190 Adjustment of Fire Research: 2 800 Cost: 4 700 170 90mm_us_M304_APCR_ammo_pack Research: 2 800 Cost: 4 700 170 Elevation Mechanism Research: 3 800 Cost: 6 300 230 90mm_us_M332_APCR_ammo_pack Research: 3 800 Cost: 6 300 230 Artillery Support Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 500 200 90mm_us_T108_HEAT_ammo_pack Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 500 200 90mm_us_M313_Smoke_ammo_pack Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 500 200

Get "Parts" and "FPE" like the usual routine to increase the tank's survivability. After that, work towards the APCR and especially the HEATFS round at the Rank III and IV modifications to boost your firepower against enemies.

Armaments

Main armament

90 mm M3A1 cannon

Ammunition70 rounds

First-order10 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

9.7 → 7.5 s

Vertical guidance-10° / 20°

90 mm M3A1					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	70	-10°/+20°	±180°	N/A	20.0	27.7	33.6	37.2	39.5	9.75	8.63	7.95	7.50
Realistic					12.5	14.7	17.9	19.7	21.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
M318 shot	APBC	175	173	161	147	135	123
M82 shot	APCBC	185	182	169	155	142	130
M304 shot	APCR	287	281	259	234	211	191
M332 shot	APCR	291	286	264	240	217	197
M348 shell	HEATFS	305	305	305	305	305	305
M71 shell	HE	20	20	18	17	16	16

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
M318 shot	APBC	853	10.98	-	-	-	47°	60°	65°
M82 shot	APCBC	853	10.91	1.2	14	137.2	48°	63°	71°
M304 shot	APCR	1,021	7.62	-	-	-	66°	70°	72°
M332 shot	APCR	1,165	5.7	-	-	-	66°	70°	72°
M348 shell	HEATFS	853	6.5	0.05	0.1	926.17	65°	72°	77°
M71 shell	HE	823	10.55	0.2	0.1	1,210	79°	80°	81°

Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Screen radius (m)	Screen deploy time (s)	Screen hold time (s)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
M313	821	10.7	9	5	20	50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M46

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	Visual discrepancy
70	41 (+29)	11 (+59)	1 (+69)	No

Notes:

• As they are modeled by sets of 2, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire both shells in the set.
• Rack 3 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 10 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
• This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 1 - 2.
• Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 and 2 into rack 3. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun

Ammunition600 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate575 shots/min

Vertical guidance-10° / 50°

Horizontal guidance-120° / 120°

7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition5 500 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate500 shots/min

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	600 (200)	577	-10°/+50°	±120°

7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	5,500 (250)	500	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The tank plays almost like the M26 Pershing, it's relatively fast for its size yet has a very powerful gun. In comparison, the M46 Patton features improved manoeuvrability with increased acceleration, it also has a better gun to combat the foes it will face at its rank. Due to this, the M46 Patton can fit into multiple roles like the Pershing as an offensive or supporting unit. Attack and flank enemy units with the cooperation of allied units to get their more vulnerable sides.

At this rank, the more heavy duty vehicles appears such as the IS-3, 10.5cm Tiger II, T32, and the Maus. These tanks are a menace to not just you, but possibly your entire team. Taking these tanks out in the M46 Patton require close cooperation with other allies in order to get around and hit them in their side armour. More powerful ammunition unlocked in later modifications may improve your attempts at destroying these beasts.

Arcade Battles

The M46 plays like a light tank in Arcade, because it can reach speeds over 50 km/h in perfect conditions. Furthermore, it's very agile - turning on the spot and manoeuvring in close quarters is extremely easy. Altogether, this tank is a pleasure to play in cities in Arcade, because you can escape stand-offs and flank the enemy tank, or you may decide to bait a shot by showing your side, then instantly reversing, or you might want to just leave the encounter altogether and help out a teammate who is relatively nearby. Oh, and your agility can also help you bounce shots - just move your hull and turret around slightly if you think you will get shot.

However, the agility of the tank comes at a cost: the armour is non-existent. In the BR bracket all tanks can penetrate you anywhere. Try not to get shot at, because you're likely to be very crippled, or disabled, with a single shot.

Lastly, in Arcade, your gun is very effective. Use HEATFS rounds and the markers to try to hit as many different enemies as possible - don't try to finish them off, just go for assists. Your round is almost guaranteed to penetrate wherever you hit, and if you don't hit ammunition and take out a tank with a single shot, you are likely to take out a crew member or two, some vital component (e.g. the gun, the transmission, the engine etc.), making it very easy for your teammates to finish the enemy. You don't get a stabilizer, so caution has to be taken when peeking corners or driving around flanks.

Realistic Battles

The M46 is not as effective in Realistic, due to a much slower and focused gameplay, in the sense that a spotted vehicle is often a dead vehicle. The lack of armour doesn't help you here, either, because players take longer to aim at you, reducing any chances of lucky ricochets.

If you can't rely on armour, mobility comes into question, and in Realistic it is dampened. Here, the tank behaves much more like a general medium tank, like the Centurion or the T-34. You are mobile, and quick, but you won't be able to run away from encounters, or flank an enemy in seconds (like you can do in Arcade). Therefore, you should play much more carefully, and avoid being seen at all, which can be easily accomplished because you can still manoeuvre rather easily in close quarters.

In terms of firepower, it's still very reliable, penetration-wise. However, in Realistic it is advised to take your time to learn to identify enemy vehicles and their ammo racks, because you would want to take out enemies with a single shell (if you don't, it's harder to escape from retaliatory shots). Hence why it's advised to flank your enemies and take your time, instead of running around the map like one might do in Arcade. The HEATFS shell has a tendency to cause ammo racks detonations. Also carry some APHE shells, as more often than not, HEATFS shells have a tendency to be a bit unreliable. Even when uptiered, the M46's APHE can deal devastating blows on the enemy's armour, if you know where to aim.

In general, in Realistic, just play calm and try to create a false sense of security for the enemies. Instead of tackling someone head-on, you should retreat and let them move into your ambush, because you don't have a stabilizer, nor armour.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Powerful 90 mm main cannon, especially with HEATFS rounds
• Great overall mobility
• Low profile
• Neutral steering
• Rear mounted transmission
• Excellent gun depression of -10 degrees
• The additional armour (fence around turret) can fend off some HEAT and HESH shells, and even ATGMs

Cons:

• Turret ring is prone to breaking
• Elevation gear is slow
• Armour can easily be pierced by other tanks at its rank
• Struggles to penetrate many opponents from the front without HEATFS
• Tendency to oversteer at high speeds in arcade battles due to high hp/ton ratio

History

M26 Pershing Modernization

A M26 Pershing awaiting inspection in Germany.

At the end of World War II, the US Army's most modern tank design was the M26 Pershing heavy tank. The M26 was remarkably better than the M4A3 (76) W HVSS Sherman tank in terms of armour and gun, but was deficient in engine power as it was around ten tons heavier than the M4A3, but retained the same 500 horsepower Ford engine. When tank production was halted in October 1945, the US Army had 2,212 M26s in inventory. As the US Army reorganized and specified their needs for the post war period, which included the reclassification of the M26 from a heavy tank to a medium tank in May 1946, the US Army sought the procurement of new tanks to make up the post-war tank fleet. However, the demilitarization and budget cuts with World War II's end heavily constrained the US Army's tank development and procurement programs. Stuck with what they had, the US Army began looking into modernizing the M26s to turn them into their desired postwar tank.

The M26E2 modernization program began in January 1948. As the engine was the biggest issue with the M26 Pershing, it and the transmission became the primary focus of the modernization program. Continental Motors Corporation, which was developing an engine specified by Ordnance Committee and the Tank Engine Committee since 22 July 1943, produced the AV-1790-1 engine that has significantly more horsepower than the Ford engine. Continental's AV-1790-1 engine was chosen to become part of the modernization program. The transmission was upgraded to a General Motors (GM) CD-850-1 cross drive design, a transmission design that was considered for US tank designs as far back in April 1943 during trials with the T20 tank. The cross drive transmission was beneficial as it was almost twice as short as the original M26 transmission, yet is able to perform the function of a transmission, steering control, and vehicle brake. Firepower improvements was also considered, with the 90 mm T54 gun as a possible upgrade option. However, this was cancelled as the 90 mm T54 introduced a new type of ammunition into the logistics train, and focus was put into improving the current 90 mm M3 in the M26. This became upgraded into the 90 mm M3A1 which saw the addition of a bore evacuator and a new single-baffle muzzle brake design.

A T40 medium tank prototype at Fort Knox. This vehicle is serial number #4.

By May 1948, a complete M26E2 tank (registration number 3012420) was completed and shipped to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Technical issues led to further improvements in the tank's components. In fiscal year 1948, the US authorized ten M26E2 tanks, with the program now designated as the medium tank T40. Changes were made to the M26 chassis for the modernization, most notably the additions of mufflers on the top of each side's fender for the engine exhaust pipes and a small track tension idler wheel between the rear sprocket and the rear road wheel. By 30 July 1948, the Ordnance Technical Committee Minutes (OTCM or OCM) 32312 designated the T40 tanks as the M46 medium tank, with the nickname "General Patton" after General George S. Patton. A production run of 800 tanks was authorized in 1949 fiscal year, with the hopes of 1,215 M26 tanks being converted to M46 standards in the 1950 fiscal year. The first M46 would roll off the production lines in November 1949, now powered by a Continental AV-1790-5A with a GM CD-850-3 transmission.

Korean War Breaks Out

A M46 moves down a hill with its turret traversed over the engine deck. Here the distinctive engine exhausts and mufflers can be seen on the M46's fenders on both sides.

As the US Army began ramping up production and conversion programs for the M46 tank, the Korean War began in June 1950. The Korean War's demand for armour caused tanks in all US Army depots and stockpiles to be reactivated and sent to the Korean peninsula. This unfortunately means that the M26 Pershing tanks meant to be converted to M46s were limited. The M46, of which only 319 units were produced by the Korean War's outbreak, fell into a quagmire within the US Army of not having enough M26s available to convert, but being outdated enough to not warrant the production of new units. In an effort to get new, modern tanks ready as quick as possible, it was suggested in July 1950 that the turret of an ongoing medium tank development, the T42, be placed onto the M46 hull A pilot model was produced and shipped to Aberdeen Proving Ground on March 1951, designated M46E1. Following further modifications, this combination would culminate into the M47 tank.

Continued field testing with the M46 and the development of the T42 led to more improvements in the M46 design. Initially designated the "M46(New)", this new improvement included a more efficient oil cooling system, new instrument panel, new hull wiring, improved brakes, and a new fire extinguishing system. A new Continental AV-1790-5B and General Motors CD-850-4 transmission was also designed that was interchangeable between the improved M46 and the T42. The "M46(New)" was eventually redesignated to M46A1 when it went into production with a contract for 360 units in 01 April 1951. These M46A1 tanks started production from registration numbers 30163849 and up.

M46 in Service

A platoon of M46 Pattons in the 6th Tank Battalion. These tanks have been painted with Tiger faces in a PSYOPS attempt to scare superstitious Chinese soldiers.

As the Korean War demanded large numbers of tanks, the M46 Pattons were sent alongside M4A3 Shermans and M26 Pershings into the fray. The first unit with M46 tanks in Korea was the 6th Tank Battalion, which was unloaded into Pusan on 08 August 1950. The 6th Tank Battalion was soon followed by the 64th Tank Battalion on August 13th that was also equipped with M46s. Of the 1,326 American tanks sent to Korea, 200 were M46 Pattons while the rest were 309 M26 Pershings, 679 M4A3 (76) W HVSS Shermans and 138 M24 Chaffees.

The M46s benefitted from the more powerful powertrain to be more manoeuvrable than the M26 Pershing in the theater. However, the rapid development and fielding of the M46 showed technical problems in the field, with breakdowns associated to problems with components like the engine oil cooler fan. Nevertheless, the M46s were used effectively before and after the Chinese became involved with the Korean War, with 97 M46s in the Eight Army being involved with the January 1951 counter-offensive against the Chinese. One feature that was tested with the M46 Pattons was the attachment of a searchlight onto the tank to have better battlefield illumination for night battles. The original idea called for taking a M4A3 Sherman tank to be designed with a special turret accommodating a searchlight and a 75 mm gun, designated the T52 searchlight tank. An alternative solution was devised by attaching searchlights atop tank cannons, which proved to be cheap enough to not warrant a new tank design and convenient enough for any tank to be equipped with a searchlight.

A M46 with an 18-inch searchlight, a concept that was put in practice in the Korean War.

The Korean War would end in a ceasefire brought about by an armistice. Due to the armistice dictating the restrictions of weapon imports into the region, the M46s continued to serve there in American hands as America developed their newer tank models. By 14 February 1957, OTCM 36468 would declare the M46 and M46A1 as obsolete, with the Americans only using the M46 in Korea until they are retired from lack of spare parts.

After the end of the Korean War, the M46 became part of America's weapon exports to Europe. However, as America's tank productions churn out the M47 Patton II tank, the value of the M26 and M46 for combat-ready units was not high. The M26 and M46 tanks would be exported as training vehicles to prepare crew for the receiving of M47s. Though France, Belgium, and Italy received M26s for this role, Belgium would also receive eight M46A1 that were used as training vehicles at Leopoldsburg tank training center. Many more M46s would find themselves as range targets.

Archive of the in-game description

The M26, which appeared close to the end of World War II, was an excellent tank. However, power-to-weight ratio, manoeuvrability, and range were lacking. A special new 12-cylinder, air-cooled engine developed by Continental Motors to take care of the manoeuvrability issue reached 29,361 cm³, and at 2,800 rpm its 704 hp outstripped the M26's 500 hp. The 6.5-fold compression, which was large for the time, required 80 octane fuel, and the air-cooling system often overheated the engine. Giving the tank a new power plant required a replacement roof for the compartment housing the engine and transmission, resulting in the use of a single grating. The new automatic CD-850 gearbox and steering mechanism were operated using a single lever that served both as a gearshift and steering wheel. The M46's running gear gained another small roller to keep constant tension on the tracks and prevent them from slipping between the leading wheels and rear road wheels. In addition, the front suspension points were given second shock absorbers. The tank was built for low temperatures and had water-crossing special equipment. As a result, it was heavier, though it did not suffer from reduced speed thanks to its upgraded power plant. In 1948 the modernized tank was accepted as the M46 Patton and mass produced from 1949 through 1951. A total of 1,168 units spread across two modifications were built. The M46 medium tank was used by US forces during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 and also served as part of the American forces in Europe.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the M46 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Top 7 off-road beasts discusses the M46 at 0:55 - War Thunder Official Channel

The Patton Family discusses the M46 at 0:29 - War Thunder Official Channel

Tank Chats #85 - M46 Patton - The Tank Museum

See also

• M46 "Tiger"

External links

• [Vehicle Profile] M46 Patton
• [Global Security] M46 Patton
• [American Fighting Vehicle Data Base] Medium Tank M46 Patton
• Surviving M46 Pattons (PDF)

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Connor, Arthur W., Jr. 1992. "The Armor Debacle in Korea, 1950: Implications for Today". The US Army War College Quarterly, Parameters 22 (1): 66-76. Article(Archive)
• Hunnicutt, Richard P. 1971. Pershing: A History of the Medium Tank M20 Series. Berkeley, CA: Feist Publications.
• Hunnicutt, Richard P. 1984. Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank: Volume I. Novato, CA: Presidio Press.
• Pike, John. 2021. "M46 Patton." Global Security. Last modified January 07, 2021. Website (Archive).
• Zaloga, Steven J. 2000. M26/M46 Pershing Tank 1943-1953. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd.

U.S. Army Ordnance Department/Corps*
Light tanks	T18E2 · M24 (Designed in collaboration with Cadillac)
M3 Stuart	M3 · M3A1 Stuart · M3A1 (USMC)
M5 Stuart	M5A1
Medium tanks	M3 Lee
M4 Sherman	M4 · M4A1 · M4A2 · M4A3 (105) · Calliope
	M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (76) W
M26 Pershing	T20 · T25 · M26 · M26E1 · M26 T99
Patton Series	M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47
Prototypes	T54E1 · T95E1
Heavy tanks	M103
M4 Jumbo	M4A3E2 · Cobra King · M4A3E2 (76) W
M6 Heavy	M6A1 · M6A2E1 · T1E1
M26 Pershing	T26E1-1 · T26E5
Prototypes	T14
T29	T29 · T30 · T34
T-32	T32 · T32E1
Tank destroyers	M3 GMC · M10 GMC · M56
M8 GMC	M8 HMC · M8A1 GMC
M36 GMC	M36 GMC · M36B2
Prototypes	T28 · T95
SPAAGs
Production	M19 MGMC · M42
Export/Captured	␗M8 HMC · SU-57
Stuart	Stuart I · Stuart III · ␗M3A3 Stuart · ␗M3A3 (1st PTG) · ▄M3A3 · ▄M3A3 Stuart · ▃Stuart VI (5th CAD) · ␗M5A1
Lee/Grant	▂M3 Medium · ▃Grant I · Grant I
M4 Sherman	Sherman II · ▄M4A1 · ␗M4A1 (75) W · ▀M4 748 (a) · ▂M4A2 · ▄M4A3 (105) · ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▄M4A3E2
	␗M4A4 · ␗M4A4 (1st PTG) · ▄Sherman V · ▄M4A4 · ▄Sherman I Composito
M26 Pershing	M26 "D.C.Ariete" · M26A1
M47 Patton	mKPz M47 G · ▅M47
M10 GMC	␗M10 GMC · ▄M10 GMC
M36 GMC	␗M36 GMC · M36B1 · ▅M36 · ▄M36B2
M19 MGMC	▅M19A1
M42 MGMC	▅M42 · ␗M42
	*The Ordnance Department was renamed to the Ordnance Corps after the Army Reorganization Act of 1950.