World War III: Checkpoint Charlie - M48 Patton Tank Platoon (TUBX23)The M48 Patton was introduced into service in February 1952 to replace the mix of M26 Pershing, M4 Sherman, M46, and M47 Patton tanks in service. In 1957 a conversion process began to replace the original gasoline engines with diesel engines. These tanks were designat ed M48A3 in 1958. The M48 was armed with M41 90mm gun, a variant of the 90mm gun used in the M26 Pershing, M46 and M47 Pattons with improved performance. M48 in West German Service The