M48A3 tanks could have either three or five support rollers on each side and might have either the early or later type headlight assemblies, some retained their earlier Mod A turrets and different cupola styles. Because many M48A3 tanks were conversions from earlier models many details varied among individual examples of this type. The A3 model incorporated a diesel engine which greatly improved its cruising range. This led to a wide variety of suspension systems, cupola styles, power packs, fenders and other details among individual tanks.
The M48 underwent many design modifications and improvements during its production life. Nearly 12,000 M48s were built, mainly by Chrysler and American Locomotive Company, from 1952 to 1961. It was designed as a replacement for the M26 Pershing, M4 Sherman variants and M46 Pattons used in the Korean War, and as the successor to the M47 Patton. The M48 Patton is an American first generation main battle tank (MBT) introduced in February 1952, being designated as the 90mm Gun Tank: M48.
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