M45 Pershing 6th Tank Battalion, Battle of Pusan Perimeter, 1950 (1:72)

Authentic Detailing
Pre-Painted by professionals
Accurate paint colors
Markings Tampo (pad) applied
Fully Assembled
True to Scale (1:72)
Weathering and insignias
Turret turns
Main gun elevates
Metal turret and main gun
Realistic tracks

The M45 Pershing was based on the M26 hull and turret but with a short-barreled 105mm Howitzer replacing the long-barreled 90mm gun. This was the same gun used on the 105mm Howitzer Shermans. Capable of firing a variety of high explosive smoke and anti-tank rounds provisions were made to carry 74 rounds of the 105mm ammunition. It retained the co-axial and hull mounted .30 caliber machine guns as well as the turret roof mounted .50 caliber machine gun found on earlier models. Since the 105mm barrel was substantially shorter and lighter than the 90mm gun it meant thicker armor could be applied to the turret and mantlet.

The M45 was designed to provide a close-support function and when the Korean War broke out in the summer of 1950 the 6th Tank Battalion was deployed with their M45s. These vehicles saw limited action in Korea guarding the Pusan Perimeter and in the summer of 1950 providing support to the 1st Cavalry Division. Together these units were part of the breakout from the Pusan region in an effort to move north and join up with the UN forces that had landed at Inchon in mid-September. After this action very little is documented about the use of the M45 in Korea. It is believed that the 6th Tank Battalion was the only unit to use the M45 in Korea and once the situation had at the 38th parallel these tanks were deemed unnecessary and were withdrawn from the battlefield.

Between 1949 and 1951 all but a few M45s were converted to M46 Pattons and the M45 was never exported to other countries. By July 1, 1954 there were no M45s left in the US Army inventory.

M45 Pershing 105mm Howitzer Medium Close Support Tank / Combat Engineer Vehicle

M45 specifications
Date of first acceptance: July 1945
Manufacturer: Detroit Tank Arsenal
Total accepted: 185
Crew: 5 � Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Assistant driver

Dimensions
Combat weight: 93,000lbs. (42,000kgs)
Ground pressure: 13.2 psi (.927kg/cm )
Length: 254.3ins (645.9cm)
Howitzer overhang: 2.4ins. (6.1cm)
Width: 138.3ins (351.3cm)
Height to top of machine gun: 110.9ins. (281.7cm)
Ground clearance: 18.8ins (47.8cm)

Ammunition
105mm Howitzer: 74 rounds
.50 caliber M2HB machine gun: flexible in turret AA mount 550 rounds
.30 caliber M1919A4 machine gun: coaxial to 105mm Howitzer (both .30 caliber MGs shared 5000 rounds)
.30 caliber M1919A4 machine gun: ball-mount in right bow (both .30 caliber MGs shared 5000 rounds)

Powerplant
1 x Ford GAF, V-8 cylinder, 4 cycle
Horsepower: 450@2600rpm / gross hp 500@2600rpm
Fuel: 183 US gal (693l)

Transmission: 3 speeds forward, 1 reverse

Performance
Maximum speed on level road: 25mph sustained, 30 mph in a dash (40kph sustained, 48kph in a dash)
Cruising range: 100mi (160km)