Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3309 T-55 East German Army

Authentic Detailing Pre-Painted by professionals Accurate paint colors Markings Tampo (pad) applied Fully Assembled Die-Cast Model True to Scale (1:72)

Turret turns Metal turret and main gun Realistic tracks

Over 90,000 T-54/55 have been produced making it the most produced tank in history.

After WWII the USSR began mass production of their T-54/55 tanks. It carried an impressive 100mm main gun on a low silhouette with a turret designed for maximum protection. It also has a very distinctive space between the first and second road wheels. The T-55A version has anti-radiation capabilities plus a few minor improvements. Production also took place in Czechoslovakia, Poland and China (model T-59) with approximately 95,000 tanks of all variants being produced. The T-55 has been used in over 40 countries and after almost 50 years many are still in use.

The rapid build up of new tanks started the USA to worry about a battle in Europe fighting thousands of Soviet tanks just like this T-55A. This concern sparked a fierce tank development race between the two countries and in the U.S. the development of the Attack Helicopter became a priority. The T-55 was sold to over 40 countries and came in numerous variants. All total there were approximately 95,000 tanks produced in all variants making this the most produced tank series in history.

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

During the 1970s and early 1980s the East German NVA (National People’s Army) had improved T-72 tank began to arrive so between 1984 and 1989 in an effort to extend the life of the T-55 an upgrade program was started. It consisted of additional armor and new fire control systems. During the Cold War East Germany maintained two Panzer Divisions. Each Panzer Division consisted of 3 regiments and each regiment consisted of 3 battalions. Each battalion was equipped with 7 T-55s. This meant each Regiment was equipped with 21 T-55s. This was similar to the Soviet setup.

  9th Panzer Division       /      I     \

21st Regiment 22nd Regiment 23rd Regiment I I I Battalions Battalions Battalions / I \ / I \ / I
A B C A B C A B C / I \ / I \ / I
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 7th Panzer Division / I
14th Regiment 15th Regiment 16th Regiment I I I Battalions Battalions Battalions / I \ / I \ / I
A B C A B C A B C / I \ / I \ / I
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55