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Russian or Soviet vehicles/armor modeling forum.
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Su-122-54: How common?
Violetrock
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European Union
Joined: March 09, 2003
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Posted: Monday, December 24, 2018 - 04:16 AM UTC
Miniart is going to release a second Su-122-54. I have never heard about this vehicle before Miniartīs first announcement. So, how common was this vehicle, or is it just a what-if or did only prototypes exist?

Thanks,

Thomas
seanmcandrews
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: May 09, 2009
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Posted: Monday, December 24, 2018 - 08:03 AM UTC
https://tankandafvnews.com/tag/su-122-54/
BootsDMS
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: February 08, 2012
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Posted: Monday, December 24, 2018 - 09:54 AM UTC
it was certainly not a "What if" and a bit of careful Googling will show it deployed on the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.

I can't quite remember how many were reportedly manufactured - possibly around a hundred or so - but it was a fairly lethal piece of kit, not least as I think it was the only Soviet anti tank equipment with a dedicated rangefinder.

What I do find remarkable is that it appeared to have bypassed the attentions of the various Allied military missions - that is - assuming it was deployed as frontline equipment in East Germany, which surely, it must have been.

Whilst I haven't yet purchased one (I think Trumpeter are also bringing a version out)it is, to me, a fascinating vehicle.

Hats off to Miniart.
TopSmith
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Posted: Saturday, December 29, 2018 - 06:09 PM UTC
Reading the article gave me no indication that this was a big secret for the Russians. The gun was well known, the hull was well known and the SU100 was well known. I don't see a big difference from the SU100 except for the optics/rangefinder. Both the SU100 and this vehicle have similar advantages and disadvantages of a turretless design. Due to only 100 being built, there would not be much of a combat multiplier. I think a better option would be a T55 with a good rangefinder. This vehicle may have been more for blowing up buildings than tanks. However, it still looks cool.
tanknick22
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Posted: Sunday, December 30, 2018 - 12:59 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Miniart is going to release a second Su-122-54. I have never heard about this vehicle before Miniartīs first announcement. So, how common was this vehicle, or is it just a what-if or did only prototypes exist?

Thanks,

Thomas


It is already out I seen it at my local hobby shop last weekend
C_JACQUEMONT
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Loire-Atlantique, France
Joined: October 09, 2004
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Posted: Sunday, December 30, 2018 - 03:43 AM UTC
I bought the ARV variant recently (TOP). A common sight in 1980s/1990s military parades, looks like a nice kit if a bit overcomplicated in places, at least there is no interior and you got the options of using torsion bars or simplified fittings for the suspension.

Cheers,

Christophe
KurtLaughlin
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Joined: January 18, 2003
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Posted: Sunday, December 30, 2018 - 04:29 AM UTC

Quoted Text

What I do find remarkable is that it appeared to have bypassed the attentions of the various Allied military missions - that is - assuming it was deployed as frontline equipment in East Germany, which surely, it must have been.



There were about 85 +/- made, and it was kept out of Germany and other areas visited by "prying eyes". This article gives a good explanation.

KL
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
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Posted: Sunday, December 30, 2018 - 05:11 AM UTC
It's interesting that that article mentions Viktor Suvarov.
There's been a lot of debate about the validity of his claims, especially those related to WWII.
I've read much of his work, and still have the Liberators and Inside the GRU. I would probably be inclined to believe most of what he has to say regarding tank development. He spent a good portion of his career in that realm.
These two books make interesting reads, but his claims that the Soviets built underwater channels to guide their snorkeling tanks on maneuvers seem a bit far fetched to me.
The GRU book is mainly nonsense, especially to those in the intelligence community, but it was entertaining to me as a young SF troop, until I learned better. We've pretty much taken it apart since then.
BootsDMS
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Posted: Sunday, December 30, 2018 - 07:12 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

What I do find remarkable is that it appeared to have bypassed the attentions of the various Allied military missions - that is - assuming it was deployed as frontline equipment in East Germany, which surely, it must have been.



There were about 85 +/- made, and it was kept out of Germany and other areas visited by "prying eyes". This article gives a good explanation.

KL


Now that was fascinating - and to me it's always interesting to be able to set a model in context. Thanks for that, very much.

All hail to Armorama yet again - and Kurt of course!

Brian

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