I have just received this kit and I know that this is not up to Tamiya's standard (also in my stash) but I have decided to have a fun build just OOB aiming at a T-54.

I would like to build the one with starfish wheels, older gun (not the D10 but the other - also included in the box), no IR aiming device. Single headlights on the front. BTW is this an existing configuration?

I would be happy to hear any advice or comment and some photos also would be handy. These early T-54s a little but confusing (as russian armor in general, even fo those woh used to belong the eastern bloc). I have googled some photos but not enough. Are there lots of differences compared to the T-54B (which already has the IR plate)?

Thanks a lot!

Adam

Adam - very carefully take the model and box outside. Douse with gasoline. Light with match while praying fiercly to model gods not to smite you. Back away slowly and never commit this sin again.

Just kidding.

With the old Trumpeter T-55's, which were the best back then but are VERY dated now, it would be best to just build it OOB the best you can. I would not put too much effort into it as the kit needs A LOT of help to make it correct for any flavor of T-54/55. You can also transfer the T-54 bits to a Tamiya T-55, with other necessary mods, so that all the backdating effort is worth it.

As for refs on really early T-54's.... here is a quick one I have

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=212292

Thanks. I really want it just OOB so I am not asking for the details, but the features. Since the kit contains a lot of extra parts at least I want to have the features correct.

My main concern is the older gun, is it possible to mate it with spiderweb wheels?

Also I plan to omit the IR palte on the turret.

Oh and what about the hull machine gun? At which point was this eliminated?

T(h)anks a lot

Ps.: the link does not work

Here an exemplar with spider web wheels and old gun

http://photo.qip.ru/users/pakuro/3674253/82237499/#mainImageLink

As far as I know (but I might be wrong) T-54K had spider web whhels and the old gun but it was a quite rare version:







T54 A had spider web wheels,the new gun and two MGs (so they were still employed in 1951)















That's the version depicted by Trumpeter kit

Here some walkarounds. As you can see some of them were retrofitted with the gun headlight and starfish wheels

http://photo.qip.ru/users/coast70/150458849/

http://photo.qip.ru/users/coast70/150441970/

http://lib.rus.ec/b/218193/read

http://dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=1801

http://scalemodels.ru/modules/photo/viewcat.php?cid=489&orderby=date%20ASC&show=12&min=0.

Here a Russian site about all The T-54 versions

http://vadimvswar.narod.ru/ALL_OUT/TiVOut0809/T54/T54001.htm

http://vadimvswar.narod.ru/ALL_OUT/TiVOut0809/T54/T54015.htm

Regarding the kit, I have it my stash and I'd say that its worst flaw is that its shape is at least 3 mm higher than the actual subject in scale...It isn't a minor flaw in my opinion. Tank shape looks completely wrong this way
Other flaws are the headlight which is too big indeed and engine deck which has rough details and is probably too narrow and small
I think I'll use it as a source of many spare parts (for exemple i've been using the spider web wheels on my Zvezda T-34/85 mod 1944). Getting a Tamiya kit and making a T-54 using Trumpeter parts, is a very good piece of advice in my opinion.

Cheers

Thanks Maurao, very nince references!

Now I see the main differences.

What I was thinking of is T-54-3 or T-54 1951, but for that I would need older fuel cells.

So I guess I will build a T-54A 1951 with spiderweb wheels but the new gun, and T-34 styled fuel drums.

Although this photo seems to be a vehicle with normal fuel cells and older gun. I really need to find an exception to build one with old gun


I now the kit is crap, but I want to build it for fun. I have the Tamiya as well for a more realistic project.

Cheers,

Adam

Well Adam as you know Russian tank recognition is always a huge mess Some older exemplars could have been retrofitted with newer fuel drums. Anyway in my opinion your guess is right. Look F.E. here

http://data3.primeportal.net/tanks/yuri_pasholok/t-54b/

Regarding the kit it isn't exactly "crap", some parts such for example the turret look quite good. You can build it straight from the box or you can decide to correct its flaws. All in all that wouldn't be so hard

cheers

here some other in action pictures and references

http://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/russia/main_battle_tank/t-55/pictures/T-55_main_battle_tank_Russian_Russia_army_008.jpg

http://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/russia/main_battle_tank/t-55/pictures/T-55_main_battle_tank_Russian_Russia_army_012.jpg

http://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/russia/main_battle_tank/t-55/pictures/T-55_main_battle_tank_Russian_Russia_army_018.jpg

http://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/russia/main_battle_tank/t-55/pictures/T-55_main_battle_tank_Russian_Russia_army_021.jpg

http://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/russia/main_battle_tank/t-55/pictures/T-55_main_battle_tank_Russian_Russia_army_023.jpg

http://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/russia/main_battle_tank/t-55/pictures/T-55_main_battle_tank_Russian_Russia_army_025.jpg

http://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/russia/main_battle_tank/t-55/pictures/T-55_main_battle_tank_Russian_Russia_army_027.jpg


http://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/russia/main_battle_tank/t-55/pictures/T-55_main_battle_tank_Russian_Russia_army_005.jpg

http://www.tank.itishistory.ru/2_tank_21.php

http://topwar.ru/15139-sredniy-tank-t-54.html


cheers

Hey Adam...well, I guess the link broke right after I posted it....sigh.

I think you and Mauro have a good grasp on what you are looking for? I think any combination of what you want to do COULD be found eventually.

As for the kit, it will be all right! I was teasing more than anything. I have been working on a Trumpeter T-55 since they came out, it is just that there are so many stupid small things that need to be moved just a little bit to make them correct that I just kinda gave up (Meaning i shelved the kit and pull it out from time to time to think about it...) SO have at your kit and please show off the results.

Mauro, on the drawings from the back, what is that plate-like thing behind-under the left side turret hatch?

Interesting, the Trumpeter kit has the stowage box that is on the right front of the fenders (in later models there is a fuel cell here). But none of the kits in their offering uses this part I will do And the front welding needs to be reset.

So the configuration will be: older D-10, normal fuel drums, two normal cells in the back and but stowage box in the front, single headlight, no IR sights, spider web wheels...

Yes Jacques, I think you're right ...for example here some Finnish T-54





Czech:

http://tanksim.org.ru/references/ludob/t54/t54lb.php

Polish

http://www.panzer-modell.de/referenz/in_detail/t54a/t54.htm

Adam, I haven't understood what detail did you mean. Please would you mind explaining me?

Cheers