I was wondering if anyone knows if the Irqis used the Regular t54/55 bolted cupola for the MG mount or if its ONLY the model 70s with the cast one (like what is in the Blast T55 update set).

Thanks in advance
Chris

My understanding is that they "reverse modified" their m62/67's with the bolted T-54/55 coupola's. When discussing the T-62 with Gary Owsley and Steve Zaloga online, the impression I had was that it was the most common method, with a fair amount of leeway for Iraqi inventiveness to prove this incorrect.

Go to http://www.defenseimagery.mil and do a search for DF-ST-92-09612 and DF-ST-92-09611. I'd say those (that? - there´s a chance that it's the same vehicle) m1962 got the bolted on type. There's also a few detail photos of a T-62 somewhere in the US that shows the bolted on cupola. Tried to search for them on M-L but the search function is not available at the moment.

To be honest I can't remember ever seeing or hearing about a Iraqi T-62 with the "T-55 m1970" style cupola, only the bolted one.

Cheers,
/E

Thank you Jacques and Erik!
Erik - those are the pictures I was able to find on the net from the 1st Gulf War

I think the Iranians also used a locally manufactured peice for their T55 upgrade programs as well.

Chris

Got this one?



From http://centurion-mbt-two.synthasite.com/page-8.php

A few more can be found in Concords Sword in the Sand.

Cheers,
/E

Erik,
Thanks! I didn't have that one.... it does seem that they were ALL bolted T54/55 cupolas not the Model 70 cast ones as I thought.

Chris

And just when you thought you had that one figured out, there is this one. It is a 1962 hull with a 1972 turret that has had the hatch and MG mount replaced with a T54/55 style hatch and mount.

Tony,
Whoa.... Now thats a real oddball (even by Iraqi standards!) Thanks for the pictures!