Hi all,

Just joined the forum because I found this thread.

I was about to start building the takom t-55a as the Croatian Marina version.

Could anyone please post the original photos or any other link detailing the changes required to make this a realistic version.

Many Thanks

Mali

Ditto on agreeing with Jon. I've been building for 50 years and pretty much have seen it all with concerns about armor kits and questionable accuracy (or lack of). Over those years I have more than defaulted to the fact that no kit is 100% accurate...hence...it has taken me to the aftermarket to correct them as I chose. The aftermarket itself is there because of what we know about these kits. They are specifically there to help us for the very reasons why we complain about the kits...to sell us pieces/parts to take corrective actions! They know that.

I have that T-55 kit, and I already know corrections/gizmology/jerry rigging will be part of that build. I do that to every single kit crossing my table.

Feel blessed with the kit technology today (compared to 30 years ago). The aftermarket is better than ever as well.

Here's a pre-Takom kit related thread that may help (even though some links are dead...) :

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/165827

Maybe this walkaround of a Polish-built T55 in a Croatian museum would be helpful as well ?

www.hrcappuccino.org/articles/okohodac/T-55.htm

PS : Welcome to Armorama

H.P.

Hi Mali
Since Marina is a polish build T55A you'll have to convert the Cz version engine deck present in the Takom box. The main difference (not the only one change) is that the two hatches close to the turret base are like T54 ones.

Missing in the box is the rear turret Croat emblem decals.
You'll have to put OMsh T55 tracks since Takom didn't include their OMsh but a later RMsh set.
With these modifications you'll be on the good way.
Stephane

Are the MiniArt track and wheel sets an answer to this issue?

Many Thanks guys!

Hi Darren
No need to change the Takom wheels if you're ready to spend some time to fill the 2 parts wheels. Not easy but not impossible.BTW the Miniart T55A wheels set is nice and save time.
For the OMsh (early T55/62 tracks) options:
The Miniart individuals tracks are greats but... non workable as Takom RMsh tracks presents in the box.
It's possible to drill the links but it's long and boring work.
Model Kasten and Trumpeter (the second is cheaper option) offers workable plastic sets.
I have both but didn't check accuracy.
You have too metal or resin options (Friul, MasterClub...)
See the PMMS excellent article about T55 OMsh tracks options. Terry Asley did a great work even if it's now old and don't include Trumpeter, Miniart and MasterClub tracks.
Stephane

The Takom wheel T-55 fix is pretty easy - I just applied a little excess cement (thicker type) into the mating space between the wheel bit and the tire, waited a few seconds, and firmly pressed the wheel and tire parts together. This caused a small raised bead of cement / plastic that completely filled the little seam crack (which otherwise likely needs putty filling and sanding to get the correct smooth profile with that clear inner "step" inside the wheel-rim). And scraping / sanding that bead off was a simple, pretty easy job. The wheels turn out to be quite nice-looking, and the raised side ribs are easily reduced by some sanding if one desires some smoother, more-worn tires. It doesn't seem very worth-while, to me, to buy any expensive AM wheels, but that's my take on it.

Takom has made both RMsh and OMsh track sets... Both assemble quite well and look good. As the kit comes with both drive sprockets, one can get a Takom OMsh set and use it with success. I think that the Takom OMsh set is available and not very "dear" at that. I'm not a guy who needs the extra work of pinning track links to get a "workable" set - by me, "why bother? Once assembled and installed, all track sets become fixed on the build, in my case." And, unless you are building a "as brand-new" and very clean tank, where every link and pin may be subject to close examination, the kit link sets look as good as any AM sets do when applied and weathered, in my opinion.

The T-55A kit actually offers two rear deck sets, IIRC... And I'm pretty sure that one of those sets is actually the correct "Polish" sort (or pretty close and pretty easily fixed up to be) for the pictured "Marina" tank. I also think that the instructions point out the option of using the different deck bits... but don't tell folks which set to use for which specific T-55A build! In that regard, it reminds me of the many Dragon kits with loads of optional parts... The builder needs to know what parts he/she wants to use. They are often there but never labeled so as to make choosing bits easy.

I suppose that the parts-hunt and choice biz is all part of our "more modeling pleasure for our modeling money"!

Cheers! Bob

I guess this is the one to be used :



Here's the 1:1 one :



H.P.

as i wrote you'll have to rebuild the hatches that are under the turret. It's Cz engine that is show on the pic.
See on the real polish build T55A photo that frenchy displayed: the left hatche is different from russian and Cz one. On the kit picture , the hinges are on the left side, on polish engine deck the hinges are
at 90°. This hatche is square (like on T54) on polish T55A. There's some other differences on polish Vs Cz but not major. The serie of photos available of this Croat "polish T55A shows most of differences.

For the tracks, Takom Omsh set is good but for the same price the Miniart one is better. I still prefers workable sets and the Trumpeter workable set is at low price too. I finished a Takmm Chieftain MK11 and its tracks are nice but when glued they looks too compacts specially around the sprocket.
But every modeller has its owns views.