Hi there,
I may be completely wrong (has happened before, may happen again)
but I have gotten the impression that there
was an early narrower type of tracks for the T-54 / T-55 series?
I have seen images of vehicles which were based on T-54 components where
the track edges were flush with the sprocket while most (or all??) pictures
of T-55s (and T-54s ??) show that the track extends a little outside the sprocket?
The narrow type looks as if the teeth of the sprocket engage the ends of the
track pins while the more common has the sprocket teeth engaging
openings in the track pad.

What I think is the narrow type on a Mazur D-350 (Polish artillery tractor based
on T-54 components)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MAZUR_D-350_(1).jpg

There is also a few vehicles, for instance ATSz-59G tractor with crane,
some AA-missile launcher and some cab forward tracked tractor
in this thread by JimboHUN:
http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/162867&page=1

The common type, Friulmodel T-54 / T-55 track
http://www.friulmodel.hu/en/atl-01-t-54-55-62-i4/


What I would really like to know, and hope for, is if the narrow type
exists in 1/35 scale ....
Regards / Robin

Hi Robin

Your pics show RMSh Type Tracks, so T-72 track links which were fitted to T-54, T-55 and T-62

http://dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=1042





http://models-hobby.com/product_info.php?products_id=531

cheers

Thanks! That could be a good option.
I'm planning to scratchbuild the Polish Mazur D-350 which was
manufactured in the 1950'ies (before the RMSh-tracks for the T-72??)
so I would be happy if the difference between the RMSh-tracks and
whatever tracks used by early T-54's isn't too obvious.
BR / Robin

Yes, tractor was built before the T-72, but after it was upgraded with RMSh t-72 tracks

You can choose to depict an earlier tractor with common T-55 track links or a later ones with RMSh track links

Anyway, amazing project indeed! If i find some references about, I'll be very glad to help you

I hope you'll share with us your build

You'll start from a kit or you'll totally scratch build the hull?

Oh God what have I gotten myself into ......

Projekt Mazur will start from a very old Polish designed card model
(Maly Modelarz something) but since I can't understand more than
a few polish words it will take some time to decipher the instructions :-)
Since it was based on the T-54 I can take most/all of the running gear
from a T-55 kit (probably Tamiya) and then "only" have to scratch build
the chassis, cab and cargo bed. I found images on the internet:
http://www.massimocorner.com/afv/Surviving_D-350_Mazur.pdf
A walkaround of one of those in good shape in a museum would be appreciated, very appreciated. Maybe added as a walkaround in the
walkaround section on Armorama and/or Prime Portal

I found some info about those early tracks I was talking about:
Object 137-2 (T-54 M1949)

Gun: 100mm Rifled Gun D-10T
Sight: TSh2-22
Auxiliary: 1 x Bow MG fixed in Glacis, and fired by driver.
Track Width: 500mm

Frontal Glacis Armor: 100mm at 60 degrees.

Notes: Different turret shape introduced. Glacis Armor reduced due to overloading of front roadwheels.

Object 137-3 (T-54 M1951)

Gun: 100mm Rifled Gun D-10T
Sight: TSh2-22
Auxiliary: 1 x Bow SGMT MG fixed in Glacis, and fired by driver.
Track Width: 580mm

nicked from this web-page but it is probably in some books as well:
http://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Tanks/Russian_AFVs.htm

BTW: My favourite Soviet tracked vehicle is the Objekt 279
http://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Tanks/Object_279-1.jpg

Regards / Robin

Robin, considering that the tractor is Polish, try to search on internet pages written in polish where appear the word MAZUR D-350. As you've probably already known, you can find them with google language tools

You can also use the word

Ciągnik artyleryjski D-350 "Mazur"

as research keyword

I've found several references

http://www.dolin.estranky.cz/fotoalbum/detail-set/mazur-d-350/

http://forum.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/t/19582

http://archiwumallegro.pl/cignik_gsienicowy_mazur_d350-1187776238.html

http://wojskoitechnika.cba.pl/aaa/mazur/d350.htm

http://www.konradus.com/forum/read.php?f=30&i=1357&t=1157

http://pwm.org.pl/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=17770&sid=8a72269be4a756e4632cfc43a7190348


http://przemkko.strefa.pl/m_walkaround/mazur_kielce.html

I've also found a thread about a stunning paper model of the tractor



Drawings that they 've used as reference to make the model, could be very useful for your build in my opinion

http://www.kartonwork.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14610

http://www.kartonist.de/wbb2/thread.php?threadid=4188

http://www.papermodels.pl/index.php?topic=1964.0

Cheers

Thanks for those links!
I have the old (very old) papermodel so the information about the new one is very useful, seems to have a much higher level of detailing, time to go shopping for the Orlik model.....
Regards / Robin