Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3312 T-54B MBT PAVN 202nd Armored Brigade Saigon, April 1975

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

By 1946 development of the T-54 began as a replacement for the T-34 MBT and three years later entered service. There have been countless revision and upgrades such as the T-54B (Ob’yekt 137G2) that was designed in 1955 and entered service in 1957. It was equipped with a new 100 mm main that had a 2-plane stabilizer and was produced until 1957. Just months before production ceased the T-54B were equipped with an infrared searchlight, a Commander’s searchlight and a new Gunner’s sight. To go along with the 100 mm main gun new ammunition was developed that increased the penetrating performance. The T-54/55 had over 50,000 units produced and is considered obsolete by the world powers but is still in service in many third world countries.

Throughout the French Indochina War from 1946 - 1954 the Vietnam People’s Army was referred to as Viet Minh but during the Vietnam War from 1959 - 1975 the army was referred to as the North Vietnam Army or PAVN (People’s Army of Vietnam) Quan Đội Nhan Dan Việt Nam. The PAVN was heavily supplied and backed by the Soviet Union. Among the many initial vehicles were theT-54 MBT. The first PAVN tank unit was the 202nd Armored Regiment that was created on October 5, 1959. The unit was assigned the number 202 because that is the number of members attended training in the Soviet Union and China. The 202nd was the first Armored Regiment brought up to brigade strength. In October 1973 the Brigade was attached to the 1st Army Corps. By mid-April 1975 the 1st Army was deployed around Saigon. The final push was made for Saigon before the heavy rain season began. It was a T-54 that was the first to break through the South Vietnamese presidential palace gates.

Specifications T-54 Crew - 4 Dimensions Length - 29.53 ft (9.00 m) Width - 10.73 ft (3.27 m) Height - 7.87 ft (2.4 m)

Weight - 79,366 lb (36,000 kg)

Performance Power - (1) V-12 diesel engine 520 hp Speed - 30 mph (48km/h) Range - 249 miles (400 km)

Armament (1) 100 mm D-10 rifled main gun (34 rounds of ammunition) (1) 12.7 mm DShKM anti-aircraft machine gun (500 rounds of ammunition) (1) 7.62 mm SGMT coaxial machine gun (3,000 rounds of ammunition shared between 2 guns) (1) 7.62 mm Bow-mounted machine gun T-54B - First model to have infra-red night vision equipment.