M 48's still going

Zippy · Post by **Zippy** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 12:38 pm

I see on the news from Tunisa that M48's are still being used by there army.

mike

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 4:31 pm

Actually, I thought they were M-60A3s.

I've also seen some AMX-13s with what look liked 105mm guns.

Seems like they've got very similar kit to Austria?

TAMMY · Post by **TAMMY** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:51 pm

Tunisian Army has both M-60A3 and M-60A1, no M-48

You are right about the "AMX-13". The are the Austrian SK-105 Kurassier

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:38 pm

The Austrian SK-105 is not an AMX 13, looks similar.
I have used the hull of the M-41 tank and used the AMX-13 90mm turret to create the SK-105.

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:42 pm

Images I have found so far:

Not labelled in the news, but observably M60A1s.

Recognition points:
1) Straight-edged weld joint of glacis with lower front hull plate = M60 Series (M48 had a cast nose with an eliptical/rounded front edge).

2) Bumps on either side of turret for binocular range finder + un-reconfigured turret chin = M60A1 (M60A3 had laser ranging, new production turrets had change in casting to reduce shell trap).

Did I get that right?

So who among us will be first to game this one? It fairly screams for a scenario involving USMC or French Force d'Action Rapide intervention. Maybe a chance to role my AMX-10RCs into action (the 2eme Spahis)?

On Edit: Oy, guess I was a bit behind the times in my reference to the FAR. Now it is the Corps de Reaction Rapide (CRR). But if I want to get my AMX-10RCs into action I'd better go with the 9eme Brigade Legere Blindee de Marine (9th Light Armored Naval Brigade). Still seems a worthwhile gaming opportunity.

Zippy · Post by **Zippy** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:50 am

at least i got the M part right

mike

Firefight · Post by **Firefight** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:34 am

The depicted tank is a M60A3. The give-way is the thermal sleeve on the 105mm gun. When I was in my Armor Officer's Basic Course (Ft Knox - 1984) we had two Tunisian Tank Officers in our class. Ay that time, they trained on M60A3 Pattons.

Mitch
North Carolina

Steel Arrows · Post by **Steel Arrows** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:36 pm

From what I can make out from the 1st picture is that the rear of the turret is rounded and not squared like the A3 model. It maybe a refurbished M60A1. Looking at the second picture. Is definitely an A3 model. I use the zoom feature of photo viewer to get a closer look see. :

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:58 pm

Aaaah - Austrian SK-105s

Thanks for that.

I've seen Tunisian troops carrying what look like Steyr Assault rifles as well. Did the Tunisians get all their kit from Austria? I seem to recall that the Austrians operated M-60A3s as well at one point, although I may be wrong.

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:26 pm

BattlerBritain wrote:Did the Tunisians get all their kit from Austria? I seem to recall that the Austrians operated M-60A3s as well at one point, although I may be wrong.

Don't know if the Tunisians got some of their M60s from Austria, but the US sold 54 M60A3s, enough for one full battalion, directly to Tunisia in 1984. Since most sources indicate that the Tunisians operate (or have received in total) more than 80 M60s, it is possible that they received additional US shipments, or were authorized to receive them from some other nation.

Which brings up this point ... as I understand it US defense equipment sales and aid is provided with the specific requirement that the materials be returned to the US or scrapped at the end of its service, and may never be sold to another nation unless the US specifically authorizes the transaction.

This came after the post WW2 proliferation of US surplus military kit into South America. The US has always been sensitive about European nations dabbling in this region. If anyone was going to garner political favor by selling obsolete tanks to the bannanna republics, it was going to be Uncle Sam.

Could be wrong on all that, though. Post WW2 US foriegn military aid policy is not exactly my strong suit. Would welcome any corrections.

TAMMY · Post by **TAMMY** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:34 am

I believe that the all the M 60 were supplid from USA. A 1981 situation of the Tunisian armed forces credits them with 30 M 60A1. These together with the 54 M60 A3 give the actual total of 84.

I am tryimg to find what happened to the Austrian M60 whem they replaced them with 114he Leopard M2A4 from Netherland.

6mmwargaming · Post by **6mmwargaming** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:36 am

Your right Mk1 about the US requirements to when selling old equipment. The New Zealand army had lots of problems selling their old M113s off. The had buyers lined up but the US stopped the deal. Same for the NZ Airforces Skyhawks IIRC.

Cheers
Kieran