M-60A3 Main Battle Tank
M-60A3 Main Battle Tank
These tanks were used extensively
by the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S.
Army, in the Viet Nam and Gulf
Wars. Some of its characteristics are:
Weight Combat Loaded: 55 Tons
Main Gun: 105 Millimeter
Machine Guns: One 50 cal. M.G.
One 7.62 Millimeter Coaxial M.G.
A V-12 Air Cooled 750 H.P. Engine
Allowable Speed: 30-35 MPH
Cruising Range: 280 Miles
Dedicated May 27, 2002
By
Putnam County Joint Veterans
Council
Peter T. Allegretta, Chairman
Shirley Connolly, Vice Chairman
[ description placard ]
M60A3 Series Tank (Patton Series)
Weight - 60 tons
Length - 32 ft 4 in
Width - 13 ft 6 in
Height - 12 ft 6 in
Ground Clearance - 18 in
Engine - 750 hp V-12 diesel
Commander's machine gun - M85 - 50 cal antiaircraft gun w/900 rounds
Main Gun 105mm/51 cal M68 rifled gun with 63 rounds
Coaxial machine gun M240 – 7.62mm w/ 5, 950 rounds
The M60 Series Patton main battle tank is now primarily found in US Reserve and National Guard units, but served as the primary US main battle tank for two decades. Developed from the M48 Patton series, the M60 was fitted with a 105mm main gun and manned by a four man crew. Criticized for its high profile and limited cross-country mobility, this durable tank proved reliable and underwent many updates over its service life. Initially produced in 1960, over 15,000 M60's were built by Chrysler and first saw service in 1961. Production ended in 1983, but 5,400 older models were converted to the M60A3 variant ending in 1990. This tank saw action with the Israeli forces during the Yom Kippur War in both the Sinai and the Golan Heights. During Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force fielded 210 M60A3's to support the Saudi-Marine effort into Kuwait City.
Marker can be reached from Gipsy Trail Road (New York Route 41) 1 mile north of Carmel-Kent Cliffs Road (New York Route 47), on the left when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
