Hi all,
while reading up on the T-72 to refresh my memory on all the variants and after a careful rereading of duel #18, Abrams vs. T-72 Ural by Steve Zaloga, I think I've found another ID feature for export tanks and more specifically export tanks built for non Warsaw pact customers. Apparently Tanks built for non WP customers used a simplified NBC protection system with Iraq being one of these and I've so far been unable to find any Iraqi T-72 with the circular cap next to the drivers hatch pivot which I believe is the air intake for the NBC detection unit http://svsm.org/gallery/t72m1/P1130265 & http://svsm.org/gallery/T-72-patton/IMG_0580 It seems that it uses the same air source as the drivers periscope cleaner so the lack of the tube to the right of the periscope may be another easier to see indicator http://www.dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?mode=P&vmode=T&p=1788&id=70566&tp=w. What do you guys think ?

awesome photos !

I have climbed on this tank at KY but did get pictures.
These photos answered a question I had about Soviet armor.
I wondered if the Russians painted under the tank desert tan.
The DML ZSU-23-4 has the tank painted under side tan. Now I know it's painted H114 underside factory with top side desert tan. Of course. But I am sure now with these pictures.

I need a girl friend.
and a beer

Cheers

John

They used Humbrol H114?