I recently purchased the Tamiya T55A. I want to build an early Soviet version and this where my references fail me so I hope somebody can answer some questions.

1. I plan on replacing the lenses from parts A38 with MV lenses, when did the Soviets switch from the clear to the black color IR lights?

2. What driver's hatch is the earlier version when did they switch?

3. What color did the Soviet use during the 60's was it still the BO4 green from WW2? If not what was it?

thanks in advance

I believe you should not use part D40, just use part D42 for an early T-55. AFAIK, the lead antiradiation interior lining , requiring the driver's hatch and the coamings over the turret hatches to be noticeably enlarged was fitted in 1963...

I'll leave the color & IR questions to the Red Army experts ...

HTH

Frenchy

t-55 early version without mg





drawings from T-55 user manual

http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~TANK-GUY/notes/T55manual1.html

Well it looks like my plans need to change as the kit supplied loaders hatch prevents me from making a T55 OOB. So it looks like I'm going to have to go with the early T55A. I still would like to know about the lights and what color paint if anybody can help.

Russian experts (and russian modellers) could correct me if i'm wrong but as far as I know 4bo green (which was actually close to an olive drab) hadn't been more used on Russian tanks in the sixties

Russian army used to paint its tanks in a green which looked very similar to a FSC 34127

If you look for example at color pics of Prague spring, you can have an idea about the color shade

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/T-54A_in_Prague.jpg

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2008-08/22/content_6961157.htm

http://i40.tinypic.com/10mpw6w.jpg

http://www.videofact.com/cold_war/praga/praga115Bopt.jpg

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/45180,news-comment,news-politics,the-prague- spring-40-years-on

You can also see those t-55 walkarounds to see how did it look the color

http://dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=1790

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/3005

http://www.photoka.info/t55/index.htm

There are different way to render that green

You can use
Tamiya xf58 olive green

Gunze h-303

Lifecolor green 34127

Air color 71017 Russian green

Humbrol 86

But you should use reference pics to chose the right color

I have plenty of T-55 references so if you need something, feel free to ask me

Cheers

Ps. tamiya T-55 kit is very good indeed, but there are some flaws on the engine deck. There are no rails around the rear grills and motor hatches

Okay, so I have started the build on the T55a. I have run into a small problem. The inside of the commanders hatch has no detail. Now I can make the handles and latches easily enough but the sights and vision blocks might be a problem.

First, I would like to know if any company makes the vision blocks and sight for the commanders cupola as separate items?

If not are their anything I can use as a basis for scratch building them?

Hi,
the answer to your last question is:No.
You can get this type of details using PE,Aber for sure do this thing very good(I have it) you need to get the basic set(1).
I don't remeber if voyager has this inside their set,I need to take a close look but now it's a bit tricky cause my boxes are closed.
You can get it also with the blast model set for T-55.
You can follow the Mauros' input for the building and painting and for infos about Russian T-55 saga.
Mauro is a very nice person and he is improving his knowledge on the theme every day.
Cheers
Ciro

Hey I'm almost done with my T55a. One final question remains. What radio would a mid 1960'era T55a have mounted, the r-113 or r-123?