T-55A Soviet tank T-55 mod (PE, decals) 1/35 SKIF 221

T-55A Soviet tank T-55 mod

1/35 scale plastic model kit

SKIF 221

Package include:

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-55A

In 1961, development of improved NBC protection systems began. The goal was to protect the crew from fast neutrons; adequate protection against gamma radiation was provided by the thick armour and PAZ basic NBC protection system.

The POV plasticized lead antiradiation lining was developed to provide the needed protection. It was installed in the interior. Because of this, the driver's hatch had to be enlarged. The coamings over the turret hatches were also visibly enlarged. This liner had the added benefit of protecting the crew from fragments of penetrated armour.

The tank was also equipped with a full PAZ/FVU chemical filtration system. The coaxial 7.62 mm SGMT machine gun was replaced by 7.62 mm PKT machine gun. The hull was lengthened from 6.04 m to 6.2 m. The hull machine gun was removed, making space for six more main gun rounds. These changes increased the weight of the vehicle to 38 tonnes.

The design work was done by OKB-520 design bureau of the Uralvagonzavod under the leadership of Leonid N. Kartsev. The T-55A also served as the basis for the T-55AK 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, Poznań 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-Łabędy (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)