All,

Trying to get more info and ideas for an African T-55/62 project I plan on starting. Looking for which countries and type of T-series used by said country. I plan on using the excellent AC Models African T-55 crew, any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,
Jerry

Hi;

You will have too be more specific; As to which Country you want too depict. The T-54/55s were more often seen than the T-62, and there are quite a few who fielded the 54/55s !
As for the Country & Region in which they were used mite be A Consideration in your choice of A vehicle. ie) Angola,
Rodesia, Yemen, etc, as others all had the type. As for the T-62 Egypt as well as libya were two who operated the type the most, except they were in the Middle East or North Africa.

CHEERS; MIKE.

Jerry,

The AC models African T55 crew is based on a photo from the Ugandan - Tanzanian war, who were using a Chines type 62 light tank ...

( Photo : http://www.amazon.com/Insurgencies-Uganda-1971-1994-Africa-Series/dp/1910294551 )

That said the T-54/55 & Type 59 were/are widely used in Africa so a time period and country would help to narrow it down.

The T-62 is somewhat easier (taking your crew as a basis) :
Angola used from circa 1980
Ethiopia used from circa 1977 (were use in the Ogadan war)
Eritrea a few recieved from Ethiopia when it became independend

HTH,

Sam.

Mike,

Great point. As for the tank I want to build, I would like to use the AC Models set however, I cannot find on the web any photos of a T-55 with a buffalo's skull on the upper glacis. So any ideas would definitely help.

Tank and crew camo is hard to find...

Sam,

Awesome insight, this helps me narrow down some ideas and now the pics of a camo type for both the tank and crew is next piece of the my puzzle.

Thank you!

If you go for a Tanzanian Type 62 or Type 59 tank with this crew it's sort of simple : 'chinese' green.....

For uniforms try searching for : Kagera War on youtube you'll find a few colour films of the 1978-79 conflict between Tanzania and Uganda...

Have fun,

Sam.

Sam and Mike,

Thank you soo much, you both have been very helpful. This will make this project that much better, I remember the days of past when researching a subject took forever, but-it was great.

Now, it's in a matter of minutes! Just awesome!!!

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jerry

The FAPLA forces operated T55 tanks in Angola so did the Cubans,we fought against these in 87/88 in the battles around Quite Canevalle.I dont really remember there colours but there where some belonging to the Unita forces witch were painted in a sand green camo.

Ethiopia widely used the 54/55 series- any tanks used by Eritrea were usually captured from Ethiopia. Here is a link to a documentary by the EPLF- there is plenty of footage in it of tanks- it revolves mostly around one of the last battles in the Ethiopian Civil War-Massawa in 1990. The tanks are all EPLF but are likely all captured from the Ethiopians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGf0gOjh7p0

In terms of uniforms the Ethiopians wore a mix of Russian gear (I believe it was locally manufactured for most of the Civil War)- usually in various shades of green/olive and tan. Tank crews seem to have preferred overalls of similar shades. The EPLF (and rebels from other regions) wore a variable mix ranging from ex Russian gear, some Chinese and civilian clothes too. I would dare say some old 58 Pattern web gear was probably utilized too.

For a real obscure use of the T-55, you might want to consider the Cuban/Zambia/FNLC (Front for the National Liberation of the Congo) use of the T-55 in Zaire during the Katanga (Shaba) and Kolwezi issues during the mid to late 70's. I was there during that period, helping bring in the 2nd ReP of the FFL...but can't independently confirm their use...although it was briefed to us that there was use of the 'T' series armor, but by exactly who is hard to pin down. Not even sure if the FFL has to fight off any T Series armor. Who knows, maybe the FNLC was using Cuban T series pieces or perhaps using Zambia's T series to invade Zaire with, then everything else was fought on foot (Zaire is not tank friendly country). Either way, I would not be afraid to model either country's involvement into Zaire...Cuban or Zambian, and try and find markings that the FNLC may have used. There was also Algerian, Angolan and East German involvement, who armed and 'advised' the militants of the FNLC, but I'm almost positive there would be no marking used by them. There are decals for all possibilities out there!

even more off the wall, how bout a Rhodesian T55? The Rhodesian security forces captured some in the late 70s and armd car regt used them.

http://www.rhodesia.nl/quartz.htm

Just wanted to mention a couple of things that came to mind. A real modern source of inspiration could be the current situation in South Sudan- I've seen several news reports and various pictures and there are definitely T series tanks being used (could possibly be Chinese Type varieties).

Also John's very interesting post about the Cubans reminded me that they were also present in Ethiopia- either one or two Cuban armored (primarily T series tanks) formations fought for the Ethiopians against the Somalis during the Ogaden Wa.

The South African army captured a few in Angola and took them to the armour school and repainted them in SADF colours.That could also be a intresting option.

Gentlemen, I am truly impressed by the wealth of information you all have provided on the subject matter, I am speechless! Thank you, I have narrowed it down in doing a Tanzanian Type-62 light tank. Where the vehicles in a pale green or more of a drab shade, no camo?
As for markings, I have not seen any marketed, does any manufacturer have one? For the crew camo and infantry, any suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

Jerry,

If your contemplating to built a Tanzanian Type 62 (like on the photograph) there is only one option, but it's a good option Trumpeter's kit, for sprues and stuff see :

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10345762/10/0

Offcourse you'll still have to scrounce some roadwheels from a type 63 apc to make it complete ...

Grz,

Sam.