Talk:M60 tank/Archive 1

Range

I have changed the range to 300+ miles, this is due to my experience in a M60A1 of the 1AD in Germany in the 70's. This is road mileage, cross-country is much less -Safn1949 01:01, 4 June 2007 (UTC)

numbers

how many tanks does each of the users have?.... can any one fix that

excessive

the first picture for the m60 where it explains it is WAAAAAYYYY to long, someone please shorten it up(Esskater11 01:12, 13 June 2007 (UTC))

About 325. I only know of a very few that did run dry. 325 was the operational planning , and it has some space for a safety factor.

1st AD-- What unit? in 76-79 I was at Augsburg with the 63rd We had first been with the 1st ID forward, and then with the 3rd ID.

C Co 1/35 armor,Erlangen,Germany Safn1949 00:08, 8 July 2007 (UTC)

In 83 to 86 I was with the 82nd in Erlangen.

The M-60, and M-60A1 was also made in Italy under contract. The Version was many times called the AM-60. Some of the first tanks received by Egypt had in fact been AM-60s.

Also the British L-7 smoke launcher mounted on both sides (US Army Model M-239 using Red Phosphorus), then incorporation of the Belgian tank mounted Coax version of the GPMG replacing the M-219 first started with the M-60A1 Rise Passive SLIP II in late 1978 with the forward deployed units in Germany. All this being a on site upgrade. It should also be noted that the M-60A1 Rise Passive SLIP I came with a Standard, and Low band with Infrared Searchlight( The low band width being called "Pink Light". The Pink light projection mode was undetectable by the then Current IR viewers of the Warsaw Pact.

Origin of the M60

In 1957, it was determined that the Soviets were in the process of developing a new medium tank, the T-62, with a 115 mm gun, superior to that of the American M48 tank. In response, an M48 tank was fitted with a new engine and later with a variant of the British 105 mm L7 series gun. This new vehicle (originally designated M68) was put into production in 1959, reclassified as the M60 and entered service in 1960.

This is contradicted by Steven Zaloga, writing about T-62 development:

...the program took an abrupt shift in January 1961 after a disgruntled Iranian officer drove his brand new M60A1 tank over the border into the Soviet Union. The US Army's M60A1 armor layout and its new 105mm gun infuriated the chief of the soviet tank force who insisted that the caliber of the new Soviet smoothbore gun be increased from 100mm to 115mm to exceed the NATO 105mm ... Ironically, the British 105mm gun had been adopted by NATO in the late 1950s after British officials examined a T-54A tank driven onto the grounds of the British embassy in Budapest during the 1956 Hungarian uprising.

—Steven J. Zaloga and Hugh Johnson (2004)
T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks 1944–2004, p 11.
Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 1-84176-792-1.

Unless there's a source backing up the version in the article, this should be changed. —Michael Z. 2006-10-04 03:11 Z

I removed the comment from the article. —Michael Z. 2007-07-28 21:51 Z

can someone fiz the line about the machine gun at the very top?

Madman

Why is there not a quick trivia section dedicated to the mad man who hijacked this model of tank in San Diego, California in 1995. Since there is an article about some dumbass Korean gamer who died after playing for more than 50 consecutive hours, I say this should be added.

M60A3: production or upgrade only

Was the A3 produced as a new model, or only implemented as an upgrade of tanks already in service? Can anyone find some production statistics for the article? Thanks. —Michael Z. 2007-10-03 23:17 Z

M60A3s were both rebuilds of older models as well as new production. You could tell them apart by the rangefinder blisters. If a turret had them on both sides, it was a rebuild. If only on one side, it was new production. The old coincidence rangefinder used both blisters, the laser rangefinder only the right side. In the rebuilds, the left blister was still on the tank, but was empty. If it was a rebuild done in Europe, it did not have a back deck external phone. I don't have statisitcs, but most M60A3s were rebuilds.  —Jim Davis 2007-12-04 19:06 Z

M60E2 co-ax

In the article, it states that "The M60 was the last U.S. tank to use the co-axial version of the M60 Machine Gun, the M60E2, as well as steel armor and an escape hatch under the hull, as the M1 Abrams that replaced it lacked sufficient ground clearance." I have used both the M-60 and M-48A5 during my career, and I never ran into one that had an M60E2 coax. Always an M-73 or M-219. I had heard that only the Marines used the M60E2 on their M60A1 tanks. Anyone have any info on this? . —Jim Davis 2007-12-04 19:06 Z

This is my understanding as well, but I'm not sure I have a good source on it. -- Thatguy96 (talk) 22:44, 4 December 2007 (UTC)

I third this. US Army M60A1 series used the M219 7.62mm MG for coax, then it was upgraded in the early 80s to the M240 7.62mm coax. The A3 used the 240 from the beginning. I don't know about the A2. The M240 is still in use on the M1 from what I know.

JR —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.10.219.38 (talk) 06:36, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

We used the M219,much to my despair on our M60A1's in germany from 1974 to 76 when I left the service,it was a total piece of crap at the time,I would like to hear if anyone had any better luck with it. Safn1949 (talk) 22:09, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

My 20yrs was spent on four tanks the M60, M60A1, M60A1E1, and the M60A2 and was Master Gunner in two tanks Battlions and one Division. All had either the M73 or the M219. I did have a M219 that didn't work too dam good when I got it to replace my M73 when it went in for repair for chipped cams, Because I sat and the end of a moving tank range with about 3000 rds in the ammo box and shot it all and only had one jam a link broke cleared it and continued to fire. When it came back they asked me if I wanted my M73 back and since I had the M219 firing just as well as my M73, I told them give it back lol. I prefered the M73 all which fired perfectly well if taken care of. And in some strange situations matching the barrel jacket to the gun worked well. Some did not beleave this but I found out in one situation it did work. When one of the other tank commanders barrowed mine and it worked perfectly on his tank and I took his and test fired it on my tank and it also worked perfectly as well. I went to Master Gunner School on the M60A2 and was in the two Battlions that had them to the end when they were turned in for M60A3. The M60A2 was a variate of the M60A1, but was also in some kind of production during time of the MBT70/XM803. The XM803 was what the US called it after the Germans dropped out of the program. And the M60A1E1 was really just a test bed for the fire Control System that was in the M60A2 there was only one Squadron or Battlion of the M60A1E's that I know of and that was 1st Sqdn 3rd ACR. Or the whole Regiment had them I'm not sure what the 2nd and 3rd Sqdr had.

Driveby edit... sorry bout that

Hi

I am the one who made a couple of small changes to the section comparing the M60A3 and the M1. These changes are based on my personal knowledge and experience as an M60 series tanker from the late 70s to early 90s (USA and CARNG). I believe they could be backed up by a contemporary copy of FM17-12-3 Tank Gunnery at least in part. I don't have the requisite pubs, anyone else?

I came back to put my fingerprints on the article since after nosing around a bit I discovered it was the proper thing to do.

Cheers.

JR —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.10.219.38 (talk) 06:32, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

Move page to "M60 tank"

The M60 MBT was officially never named "Patton". This name was reserved for the (M47 Patton I) and the M48 (Patton II) only. I've never meet anyone in active service of the U.S. Arny who called the beast Patton! (This information is for all who will not accept it - specially for User:Krupkaa2!) And the M46 Patton (the improved/modified M26 Pershing).

--Care Alto (talk) 07:49, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I agree. I think that the page should be moved to "M60 tank", which more accurately describes it. The name "Patton" was never officially used and probably originated for this tank as a misconception that it was an M47 or M48. --Interchange88 ☢ 13:52, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Vote - move page to "M60 tank" or keep?

• Move for above stated reasons Interchange88 ☢

This discussion fell by the wayside three years ago. Also, WP:COMMONNAME doesn't require the technically accurate name. (Hohum ^@) 16:59, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

I believe it was one year ago, and the point I'm trying to make is that is "Patton" is not the common name - it is simply nickname used sometimes, but not by military personnel, and "m60 tank" is used more often. Note that "M60 tank" isn't the official name, either. --Interchange88 ☢ 21:03, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Usage in Vietnam

From my understanding the M60 was never used in Vietnam (except the M728 CEV, only the M48's. Can anyone confirm?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.128.35.135 (talk) 02:25, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

Correct; ARVN's used the M-41 Walker Bulldog, US Army/Marines used the M-48A3 Pattons (and M60 CEV Engineer Tank and AVLB Bridge Tank); Australians used the 84mm gunned MK 5/1 Centurion Tank. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.114.15.192 (talk) 21:23, 16 November 2008 (UTC)

Photos need explanation too

There's a photo with the caption "A captured Israeli M60 tank". Where is it? Why no markings? --Kaiwhakahaere (talk) 02:40, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

It is taken from National Military Museum of Egypt. Located at Cairo Citadel. Its marking can be found here. --Wrightbus (talk) 10:16, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

I have a question about that as well. If the Egyptians operated the same tank...who's to say it's not some old, out of commissioned Egyptian tank painted up. Propaganda is rampant in the Mid East, as we all know. So I'd like to see a citation for the info in that picture caption. I don't think that's too much to ask. SoulBrotherKab (talk) 17:49, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

• FYI, the Egyptians did captured that Israeli M60A1 during the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the markings and instructions inside were in Hebrew and English text (as is customary of IDF's SOP). As for the Egyptian Army operating the M60, it was only after the Camp David Accords of 1978 that they finally got their own M60 Pattons, F-4 Phantom IIs and other weaponry supplied from the Americans in 1979. See the 6 years gap of void now? Hope this will help to clear up your doubts about the so-called propaganda thingie which you raised up here. (PS: I reverted your extraneous but AGF edit!) --Dave1185 (talk) 18:11, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

That's fine. It very well could be exactly what it says it is in the caption. But doesn't it still need a citation? I may be new to Wikipedia, but I've done quiet a bit of editing so far (see the Pakistan Air Force), and know if you present something as a fact, it's gotta have a little something to back it up. Especially considering the amount of "so-called propaganda" that goes on in the Middle East (both sides, mind you...I really don't care either way in regards to the M60 picture.) If it's an Israeli tank, that's fine. But there's gotta be some reliable source somewhere in the intarwebz that shows Egyptian war trophies and shows that yes, indeed, it's a captured Israeli M60 tank.

Otherwise, why can't pictures of Soviet-made tanks sitting outside US military bases/museums here in the United States say that we captured them in battle, or sneaked them out secretly from Europe or whatever...when in reality most of those were examples donated or bought from former Soviet/now NATO nations? SoulBrotherKab (talk) 18:45, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

• I disagree. Based on the fact that you had not taken the pain to read through the entire military history of Middle east, and Egypt in particular. Had you read up on the Yom Kippur War, you would have known that the Egyptians were operating Soviet-designed and supplied tanks such as the T-54/55 and T-62. They captured that Israeli M60 Patton in 1973 and had it put on static display in 1974. While their first M60 was supplied to them in 1979. Remember the USS Pueblo (AGER-2)? The North Koreans captured it in 1968 and is still using it as a tourist attraction in Pyongyang. The facts speak for themselves. --Dave1185 (talk) 19:08, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

I have slightly altered the caption to reflect that it is a claim, not necessarily a fact. Hohum (talk) 19:11, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

• No offense here but I think it's kind of stupid if you were to ask someone why they would doubt the words of a museum. --Dave1185 (talk) 19:44, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

• Another question, remember that I mentioned the Egyptian Air Force had American supplied F-4 Phantom IIs? Why didn't they paint one of those in IAF marking then use it as a museum piece and claim that it was captured from the Israelis? Simple economics, my friend. You don't fight with your own wallet over something you've bought. --Dave1185 (talk) 19:14, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

If you have a reference to what the museum says - which can be definitively tied to that image/location, supply it - which would still be a claim, but at least it would be a supported one. What I have seen so far is personal assurances and original research, which is why I changed the text. Hohum (talk) 20:39, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

The Pueblo doesn't even compare to this situation. 1) its CREW confirms the claim that it was captured, 2) reliable news reports support it, 3)even the US Navy supports it, and the USS Pueblo is still in US Navy registration as an active vessel. Seriously, if you're trying to question someone's reading comprehension skills, should've thought about using the USS Pueblo as an example. Hohum is exactly right. The caption is based on a personal assurances and original research. It would be like me taking a picture of an AK-47 rifle that I've come into contact with, post it on Wikipedia in the AK-47 article and in the caption area claim that it was acquired by killing the previous owner, a Soviet Union Army soldier in Afghanistan or something. I'm sure during the war, all sides had quiet the collection of each others dead tanks. I really don't think I'm asking that much here by wanting a citation for what the picture claims. SoulBrotherKab (talk) 23:22, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

• Go argue with the museum that had the claimed captured M60 tank on display since they are the one most likely to have information with regards to that. I got other fish to fry. --Dave1185 (talk) 02:25, 20 September 2009 (UTC)

Uh huh. You seem to have gotten Wikipedia backwards. I'm not suppose to prove why that's not an Israeli tank. Whoever added it is suppose to prove why it IS an Israeli tank. And they haven't...at all. But yeah, go fry your other fish. SoulBrotherKab (talk) 02:51, 20 September 2009 (UTC)

• Thank you and you too. --Dave1185 (talk) 12:18, 20 September 2009 (UTC)

Former users

When I served with the German army, it had no M60s. Only old M48s in reserve. Newer tanks were the various Leopards. German Wikipedia confirms this. Ondundozonananandana (talk) 09:19, 26 September 2008 (UTC)

Steel armour

The article writes:"The M60 was the first and last U.S. main battle tank to utilize homogeneous steel armour for protection. It was also the last to feature either the M60 machine gun or an escape hatch under the hull."

I agree that it was the last american tank protected by steel, but all american tanks before M-60 were protected by steel armour.Agre22 (talk) 15:18, 13 March 2009 (UTC)agre22

Comment

Comment made in post "they burn". I don't feel this is a accurate comment on the M60 series,all first generation tanks suffered from the same problem,the ammunition was inside the crew compartment.Thus if the hull or turret was penetrated,a massive fire could ensue due to the propellant brewing up.While it is also true that the electo-hydraulic turret system could also cause a fire if the hydraulic lines were severed.Safn1949 (talk) 16:47, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

"Performance in combat" section

Just thought I'd point this out, but the last two paragraphs of this section relate to the M60 in popular culture and a civilian incident, neither of which have anything to do with the vehicle's combat history. These should probably go to a new section Masterblooregard (talk) 02:41, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I have to agree. The last two paragraphs really don't belong in this section. The first of these two paragraphs deals more with the M47 and M48 use in films and doesn't belong in an article about the M60 at all. BuzzardHB (talk) 12:39, 14 August 2010 (UTC)BuzzardHB

Users of the M60 image

The world map is incorrect as Taiwan is left out. I think this should be removed or updated - I have no idea how to do the latter so would appreciate someone to do this if they can. Thanks, John Smith's (talk) 07:14, 18 January 2010 (UTC)

An Egyptian M60A3 on a street in Cairo, on 29 January 2011. Source: BBC

The tank in this photo appears to be an M-60A1, not an M-60A3. The presence of the rectangular searchlight over the main gun, and the lack of a crosswind sensor on the rear of the turret would tend to bear this out. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 160.93.181.161 (talk) 18:35, 31 January 2011 (UTC)

Dictionary: "Erroneously=Inaccurate, wrong, false, etc."

The current article states in the first paragraph "(but was never offically named)... the M60 Patton tank..." Thats a bit awkward as it can also read that the tank was never officially named. Well, it was officially named; the 105mm gun full tracked M60 Combat Tank, and this is sourced and is so noted by Hunnicutt (all Patton tanks were 90mm gun tanks; the A5 was up-gunned to 105mm to meet the new M60 MBT & M1 Abrams standards which saved the Army money...in not having to buy more M60 or M1 tanks; another words the up-gunned Pattons became cheap Main Battle Tanks). The article in the past at one time did read "erroneously called the M60 Patton" and this was changed to its current "(but was never officially named)". This was an acceptable compromise, until the current reading sounded like a double meaning (although it wasn't intended to).

So now the focus is again back onto the definition of "erroneously" called an M60 Patton. Discussion: If the Winchester model 1894 lever-action repeating rifle (which was 30-30 back in 1895 when it was marketed...but was originally another caliber in 1894) was labeled by "Hollywood" and mass marketed paperback novels as the "gun that won the west", would it be acceptable for Wikipedia authors to state that the Winchester Model 1894 was the "gun that won the west"? Well, it shouldn't be, because that would be an "erroneous statement." It is false. The US Army offically ended the Indian Wars in 1890 at the Battle of Wounded Knee in that year; the West was well won by 1890. So the model 1894 couldn't have won the west, the West had already been won YEARS before the model '94 hit the market! So what was the "gun that won the west?" It was the Winchester lever action repeating rifle in 44-40 caliber; the model 1873.

Same holds true for today's "Henry" firearms company, their marketing ploy (Dictionary: Ploy=maneuver to gain advantage) is (or was, unless they've changed it) the history of Henry Rifles beginning in the 1850s/60s. The buyer is (or was) "led to believe" that he's buying an original "Henry Repeating Rifle", well according to the NRA (American Rifleman magazine, May 2008 issue p. 26) the current Henry was created in 1996 and is in no way affiliated with the original Henry Rifle Company. Although it is perfectly legal (patents expired) and practically anything goes in the world of advertising, its still deception by omission (leading someone to believe something by not saying it).

So...the model 94 didn't win the west and the Henry's not the original Henry. Which brings us to the M60 Patton tank. The US Government (the civilian branch) and the US Army (the owner of all US tanks, the USMC gets their tanks from the US Army) did not officially call the M60 tank a "Patton." So who did? Most likely it was the same people that called the '94 the gun that won the west and Henry the original Henry. (Please note that the current Henry never went so far as to make that statement, their marketing ploy was "omission" , they did not make any untrue statements regarding this particular topic). The original name for the US Army's new M60 tank was the combat tank, the Army wanted to name it the MBT (Main Battle Tank) but the paper work had already began its process through the government system and it was too late to change it. It wasn't a priority anyway. Getting the tank fielded was the priority, this was the "cold war" years (the M60 combat tank was fielded in 1960). But everyone called it an MBT anyway! In fact no one called them light, medium, or heavy tanks in the 1960s (except in rare instances) they were all MBTs (except for the obvious M103 heavy tank which was used for target practice through out the land; and of course the M551 Sheridan Airborne Reconnaissacne Assault Vehicle, which also became a target after the Vietnam War).

Were people erroneously led to believe that the '94 Winchester won the west? Are people being erroneously led to believe that Henry is the very same Henry from the American Civil War? Are readers being erroneously led to believe that the M60 is a M60 Patton tank? Well according to the dictionary (any English dictionary), "erroneous"=Containing error/inaccurate/wrong/false. Inaccurate might be the best term to fit this "M60 Patton" controversy. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.104.160.36 (talk • contribs) 06:26, February 17, 2011 (UTC)

Recent use by Egypt

The section on M60 use by the Egyptian Army during the 2011 protests was removed as being minor/non-notable. See the discussion at Talk:M1 Abrams#2011_Egypt_Protests for more. -Fnlayson (talk) 01:41, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

First Generation MBT

The M60 MBT couldn't have been a second generation MBT because it replaced the M48 Patton which had been officially classified as a "90mm gun tank". The M60 MBT was the US Army's first 105mm gun tank and was intended to be an all purpose tank (suiting all roles; ref Hunnicutt) and titled an "MBT" (ref Hunnicutt). But as stated previously in discussion forums, the "paper work" calling the M60 a "combat tank" had already been set in motion so the name stuck.

For the M60 to have been a "second-generation MBT" the M48 Patton would have had to have also been an MBT, which it wasn't; it was a medium gun tank (90mm gun tank).

Note the "Hunnicutt reference" is lacking a page number for referencing. Possibly because Mr. Hunnicutt considered the 105mm gun M60 tank to be a first of its kind US MBT (and not a second type/second generation), the first truely unofficial US Army MBT. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.104.160.54 (talk) 00:18, 2 March 2011 (UTC)

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Relation between M60 Patton and M67 "Zippo"?

I was wondering, is there any relation between the M60 Patton and the M67 Flame Thrower Tank? The latter appears to have a similar hull and turret design to the Patton, the only real difference I can see being the use of a flamethrower instead of a cannon as the primary armament. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. Orca1 9904 (talk) 20:31, 1 August 2013 (UTC)

The M67 is based on the M48 series of tanks; the M67 is based on the M48A1, the M67A1 on the M48A2 and the M67A2 on the M48A3. The original M60(A0) was loosely based on the M48A2, essentially being an improved version (larger gun, better hull armor, diesel engine) of that design. Therefore, the only relation between the two is through the M48.--L1A1 FAL (talk) 23:07, 1 August 2013 (UTC)

National Guard

Isn't the M60 not in use by the National Guard any longer? --Exodianecross (talk) 18:08, 6 December 2013 (UTC)