My understanding is that there were few (if any) external differences between the T-72M1 export model and the Soviet-fielded T-72A.

The only one I can find is a reference on Kampfpanzer.de to the use of the aft/port storage bin on the turret, which (like on the T-72B) moved the snorkel to be mounted on the turret rear storage bin, but interestingly I have not seen images of this -- all the T-72A images I see have the T-72M1 configuration with the snorkel aft/port and no aft/port bin.

Any thoughts on that, or on other external differences? Thanks.

The turret between the M and A are different in shape. Also the M1 has added armor on the glacias, plus the arrangement of attachment points for the KMT devices is different on the M as well.

From what I understand an M1 will have only 4 KMT mounts on the hull nose as well as cutouts in the upper glacis applique for the tow hooks and upper KMT mounts whereas an A will have 8 KMT mounts and no cutouts.
From Osprey duel #18 "Abrams vs. T-72" two types of T-72 M1:
obj. 172M-1-E6 for non Warsaw Pact clients with simplified NBC system.
obj. 172M-1-E5 for Warsaw Pact clients with standard NBC system.
I think this is what the simplified system refers to
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47209/thread/1394032177/something+interesting+on+the+T-72

Yes, but I'm referring to the M1, not the M. Do you mean the M1 and A have different turret shapes as well? Because Alex Clark refers to this turret as the "T-72M1/A" so I believe at least in his opinion the shapes are essentially the same.

Yep, same turret on M1 and A.

Export variant T-72M1 is based on a intermedial production T-72A.

The only visible differences are the different KMT mounts.
On lower glacis T-72A has 8 mounts, while T-72M1 only 4.
On the upper glacis T-72A has 2 lines of bolts on each side; external has 4 bolts, internal 3.
On T-72M1 the external lines has three bolts, internal has two.

Other features are very similarl between T-72M1 and T-72A of intermedial production(Tucha smoke system,no anti-radiation cladding).

Not necessarily, the bottom edge of the turret under the brows is different on the M, as well as the contour of the brows. Wish I was on my desktop, I could post a comparison shot.

Eric we are talking about T-72M1 and T-72A (objekt 174), They have the same Dolly Parton turret.
T-72M is an earlier version with completely different turret.

hello Dario, what do you mean by the bolts on the upper glacis?

Sean

Hello Sean

T-72M1 export version


for discussion only

T-72A soviet version (in this case final production type)


for discussion only

Ah, I see. Good find !

Sean

That's a pretty tiny difference! At least at my scale, 1/100. I make small armoured vehicle kits for wargamers and I was wondering if I can market the T-72M1 I have had manufactured as a T-72A and I think I can. At that scale, it would be pretty easy to make the changes to the KMT bolts if the gamer is so inclined (and I suspect most won't be).

Thanks a lot for all the answers.