T-54B Soviet tank PE, decals, Resin turret 1/35 SKIF 230

T-54B Soviet tank T-54 mod
1/35 scale plastic model kit
SKIF 230

Package include:
RESIN TURRET
Photo Etched set
Decals
Gum tracks
Plastic parts
Assembly guide

Manufacturer: SKIF (Ukraine)
Scale: 1/35
Material: Plastic
Unpainted, Unassembled, Kit do not contain paints and glue.
Condition: New in Box

T-54A and T-54B

In the beginning of 1950s the personnel of the OKB-520 design bureau of the Stalin Ural Tank Factory No. 183 (Uralvagonzavod), located in Nizhny Tagil has been changed considerably. Morozov was replaced by Kolesnikow who in turn was replaced by Leonid N. Kartsev in March 1953. The first decision of the new designer was to fit the 100 mm D-10T tank gun with STP-1 "Gorizont" vertical stabilizer. The new tank gun received the designation D-10TG and was fitted into the T-54's turret. The new tank also received the night vision equipment for the driver and was designated T-54A (Ob'yekt 137G). Originally this had a small muzzle counter-weight, which was later replaced with a fume extractor. It is also equipped with OPVT wading snorkel, TSh-2A-22 telescopic sight, TVN-1 infrared driver's periscope and IR headlight, new R-113 radio, multi-stage engine air filter and radiator controls for improved engine performance, an electrical oil pump, bilge pump, automatic fire extinguisher and extra fuel tanks. The tank officially entered service in 1954 and production in 1955. It also served as a basis for T-54AK command tank, with additional R-112 radio set (front line tanks were equipped with R-113 radio set), TNA-2 navigational device, ammunition load for the main gun decreased by 5 rounds and the AB-1-P/30 charging unit, which was produced in small numbers. In October 1954 a T-54A tank, designated as T-54M (Ob'yekt 139) served as a testbed for new D-54T and D-54TS 100 mm smoothbore guns, "Raduga" and "Molniya" stabilization systems, which were later used in the T-62. These were not completely successful, so further T-55 development continued to use the D-10 series guns. It was also fitted with V-54-6 engine developing 581 hp (433 kW). It never went into production.

The new version based on T-54A, designated T-54B (Ob'yekt 137G2), and was designed in 1955. It is fitted with a new 100 mm D-10T2S tank gun with STP-2 "Tsyklon" 2-plane stabilizer. It entered production in 1957. During the last four months of production the new tanks were equipped with L-2 "Luna" infrared searchlight and TPN-1-22-11 IR gunner's sight, OU-3 IR commander's searchlight. In addition, modern APFSDS ammunition was developed, dramatically enhancing the penetrative performance of the gun to keep it competitive with NATO armor developments. T-54B also served as the basis for T-54BK command tank which had exactly the same additional equipment as the T-54AK command tank.

The T-54 and T-55 tanks were a series of main battle tanks designed in the Soviet Union. The first T-54 prototype appeared in March 1945, just before the end of the Second World War. The T-54 entered full production in 1947 and became the main tank of the Soviet Red Army's armored units, as well as of the armies of the Warsaw Pact countries, and others. T-54s and T-55s have been involved in many of the world's armed conflicts during the late twentieth century.

The T-54/55 series eventually became the most-produced tank in history. Estimated production numbers for the series range from 86,000 to 100,000.

The T-54/55 series was eventually replaced by the T-64, T-72, and T-80 in the Soviet Army, but tanks of the series is still in use by up to 50 other armies worldwide, some having received sophisticated retrofitting.

T-54 and T-55 tanks never directly faced their NATO Cold War adversaries in Europe, however, their first appearance in the west in 1960 spurred the United States to develop the M60

T-54/55
Polish T-55A, PoznaÅ„ Citadel Museum of Arms (front · rear · detail)
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1947–present
Production history
Designer	Morozov (T-54), OKB-520 (T-54A and later)
Designed	1945
Manufacturer	KhPZ, UVZ (USSR), Bumar-ŁabÄ™dy (Pol.), ZTS Martin (Czech.)
Produced	1946–81 (USSR) 1956–79 (Pol.) 1957–83 (Czech.)
Number built	86,000–100,000 est.
Specifications (T-55)
Weight	39.7 tonnes
Length	6.45 m
Width	3.37 m
Height	2.40 m
Crew	4
Armour	203 mm turret, 99 mm hull
Primary armament	D-10T 100 mm rifled gun
Secondary armament	2×7.62 mm SGMT machine gun, (12.7 mm DShK heavy machine gun)
Engine	Model V-55 12-cyl. 38.88-l diesel 581 hp (433 kW)
Power/weight	14.6 hp/tonne
Suspension	Torsion bar
Ground clearance	0.425 m
Fuel capacity	961 l (254 gal)
Operational range	501 km (311 mi), 600 km (373 mi) with extra tanks
Speed	55 km/h (34 mph)