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Historical Note:    

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 engine M48A2 but was soon outnumbered 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.

During one assignment in the war M48A3 tank named “Zig Zag Men” of the 1/10th Cavalry was assigned to support the 1/22nd Infantry/ 4th Infantry Division. Their base was located beside Highway QL-19 and named Landing Zone Schueller after 1Lt. James Schueller who was killed in 1967. M83A3 “Zig Zag Men” was named after the cigarette rolling paper brand. “Zig Zag Men” doesn’t wear the usual red and white guidons on the turret sides like most 1/10th Cavalry did. The 35 indicates it was a section leader No. 3 Platoon, Alpha Troop. 1/10th Armored Cavalry Squadron.

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

Info: M48A3 Patton "ZIG ZAG MEN" 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Rgt., Vietnam War