Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3306 T-55A Soviet Army, Prague, Czechoslovakia 1968

Authentic Detailing Pre-Painted by professionals Accurate paint colors Markings Tampo (pad) applied Fully Assembled Die-Cast Model True to Scale (1:72) Weathering and insignias Turret turns Metal turret and main gun Realistic tracks

In January of 1968 Alexander Dubček became the leader of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. His predeccors had slowly started mild reforms but Dubček wanted to speed them up and suggested that the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (CSSR) reach mature socialism using its own method rather than follow the Soviet Union’s. This displeased the Soviets as it gave more rights to the people so after failed negotiations between the two countries the Soviet Union’s military and its Warsaw Pact allies invaded. On the night of August 20 - 21, 1968 200,000 Warsaw Pact troops and 2,000 tanks that included many T- 55’s invaded Czechoslavakia. 72 Czechoslovaks were killed and hundreds wounded. In April 1969 Dubček was replaced with someone more sympathetic towards the Soviets. Eventually all Warsaw Pacts troops were withdrawn from the country.

The T-55 was essentially an improved T-54 and began to enter service in 1959. Some of the improvements were a more powerful V-12 diesel engine, an improved transmission, a rotating turret floor and the elimination of the Loader’s cupola. The T-55 had the 12.7mm anti-aircraft turret machine gun and the 7.62mm machine gun in the bow plate eliminated. The removal of the 7.62mm machine gun made room for more room to carry ammunition for the main gun. Later versions of the T-55 had the 12.7mm machine reinstalled. The T- 55A also had an anti-radiation lining added. The T-54/55 was manufactured in the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia and China. Almost 50 countries have the T-55 in their arsenal and many modernization packages are available that will keep this tank in action for years to come.

T-55A Specifications Crew 4 Weights Weight: 36.6 tons (33203 kg) Ground pressure: 12.66 lb/in sq. (0.89 kg/cm sq.)

Dimensions Length: 29.5 ft (9.0 m) with gun - 21.1 ft (6.45 m) without gun Width: 11.8 ft (3.60 m) Height: 7.6 ft (2.32 m)

Powerplant Model V-55 diesel, 520 hp (390 kW), 12cylinder, 38.88 liter water cooled Power/weight ratio: 14 hp/tonne Performance Operational range: 248.5/310.7 mi (400/500 km) - with drop tanks 372.8 mi (600 km) Maximum road speed: 31.06 mph (50 km/h) Maximum off-road speed: 21.75 mph (35 km/h) Average cross-country speed: 15.5 mph (25 km/h) Fording depth: Normal - 4.6 ft (1.4 m) With snorkel - 18 ft (5.5 m)

Armament Armour: 6.69/7.99 in (170/203 mm) Gun: 3.94 in (100 mm) rifled gun, D-10T2S Auxiliary armament: .3 in (7.62 mm) (7.62 X 54R) Machine Gun SGM-T/PKT Mounted armament: .5 in (12.7 mm) (12.7 X 108R) AA MG DShKM

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES, NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT