Hobby Master 1-72 Ground Power
HG3705 US M46 Patton Medium Tank 64th Tank Battalion, Imjin River, Spring 1951

The M46 Patton tank was named in honor of the famous US General George S. Patton M4 Sherman. 800 of the M26s became M46s when they received a new and more powerful engine and transmission with rearward-facing mufflers on each fenders and a main gun with a bore evacuator. A further 360 were converted to M46 standards plus they received improved braking, cooling and fire suppression systems, improved electrical equipment and a new designation, M46A1.

A battle between Chinese forces and UN troops took place between April 22, 1951 and April 25, 1951. Located a few miles north of the 38th Parallel is the Imjin Valley where the battle took place when Chinese forces launched an assault in an effort to push UN forces back south of the 38th Parallel and retake the South Korean capital of Seoul. The battle was part of the Chinese Spring Offensive and is known by several names, Battle of the Imjin River, Battle of Solma-ri, Battle of Gloster Hill and Battle of Xuemali.

M-46 Patton Specifications
Crew: 5 men
Dimensions
Length chassis only: 20’ 10” Width: 11’ 6” Height: 9’ 3”
Weight (combat): 48.5 tons
Performance
Engine: (M46) Continental 810 hp gasoline (M46A1) AV-1790-5B engine and CD-850-4 transmission Maximum speed: 31 – 37 mph Range: 80 miles Fording depth: 4’ 0” Vertical obstacle: 3’ 0” Trench crossing: 8’ 6”
Armament
Main gun: 1 X 90 mm – 70 rounds Armor penetration: 195 mm at 1,000 yards
Machine guns:
2 X .30 caliber – 5,000 rounds, 1 X mounted in the bow, 1 X coaxially with the main gun 1 X .50 caliber – 550 rounds, anti-aircraft gun mounted on top of the turret
Armor
Turret front – 102 mm Everywhere else – a minimum of 13 mm.