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Originally Posted by Olefin
The M44's for turkey we're in the process of being upgraded about that time. So actually there would be parts available for them more so than you would think given the age of the vehicles. Keep in mind that they are still operating them today and that they are only finally getting to the point where they're going to pull them out of service. That tells you that either there were lots of spares out there or that they found somebody to make more spares. As for the M 47 tank that's one thing I could definitely see the US approving the sale of some of them to Mexico. Especially if Mexico make the argument that they needed a battalion or so at most just in case the Nicaraguans sent those T 54s north. Again it's not an overwhelming number and it something you could see them making an argument for in reality.
By the way as someone who used to work for BAE it always amazes me how old some of the vehicles we had that we were still using. Especially the M88's and M109's. You would think a vehicle that was that old wouldn't be worth it to keep going but the army thought differently.
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The M44 and M52 were extensively upgraded by the Germans. This was done by upgrading the gun barrels (completely new 155mm barrels for the M52 from the M109) and by fitting new engines, drive trains and interior equipment. But it wasn't done for free!
From what we know about Mexico they weren't exactly big spenders, and the Mexicans would be getting the basic 1950's M44 from Italy and that's if Italy has any left. If the Greeks and Turks didn't want them for spares then Mexico would be getting what's left from Italian scrapyards.
I don't see any reason why the U.S. would approve the transfer of M47 tanks from NATO reserves in Europe to Mexico. The Warsaw Pact had a massive tank superiority over NATO in Europe.