When the Korean War began, the US military had no medium tanks in production. The M47 appeared as an interim measure but work immediately began on the M48. The first 'Pattons' were completed in July 1952. Unfortunately, the speed of development resulted in numerous teething troubles for the early Pattons, including poor reliability and a short operating range. The A3 was a highly modified version designed to rectify these failings, and the M48 has been used as the basis for flame-thrower tanks, recovery vehicles, and an AVLB. The A5 was an upgraded version produced in the mid-1970s, which extended the M48's shelf life considerably.

Like the other vehicles in this series, this 1:50 scale USMC M48A3 has been 'muddied' to give it a more weathered appearance. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 5.5-inches
Width: 2.75-inches

Release Date: 2002

Historical Account: "Operation Hue City" - The Battle of Hue; during 1968 (also called the Siege of Hue), was one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the Vietnam War (1959-1975). Battalions of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), two U.S. Army battalions, and three under strength U.S. Marine Corps battalions defeated more than 10,000 soldiers of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN or NVA) and the Viet Cong (also known as National Liberation Front or NLF).

With the beginning of the Tet Offensive on January 30th, 1968, the Vietnamese lunar New Year large conventional American forces had been committed to combat upon Vietnamese soil for almost three years. Passing through the city of Hue, Highway One was an important supply line for ARVN, US and allied forces from the coastal city of Da Nang to the DMZ. It also provided access to the Perfume River at the point the river ran through Hue, dividing the city into northern and southern areas. Hue was also a base for United States Navy supply boats. Considering its logistical value and its proximity to the DMZ (only 50 kilometres (31 mi)), Hue; should have been well-defended, fortified, and prepared for any communist attack.

However, the city had few fortifications and was poorly defended. The South Vietnamese and U.S. forces were completely unprepared when the North Vietnamese army and Viet Cong failed to observe the promised Tet Truce. Instead, the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army launched a massive assault throughout South Vietnam, attacking hundreds of military targets and population centers across the country, among them the city of Hue.

The North Vietnamese forces rapidly occupied most of the city. Over the next month they were gradually driven out during intense house-to-house fighting led by the Marines. In the end, although the Allies declared a military victory, the city of Hue was virtually destroyed and more than 5000 civilians were killed, more of them executed by the PAVN and Viet Cong (according to the South Vietnamese government). The North Vietnamese forces lost an estimated 2,400 to 8,000 killed, while Allied forces lost 668 dead and 3,707 wounded. The tremendous losses negatively affected the American public's perception of the war and political support for the war began to wane.