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Яusso-Soviэt Forum: Cold War Soviet Armor
For discussions related to cold war era Russo-Soviet armor.
Advice on Russian T-55 in Afganistan
gibbo
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Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Joined: June 21, 2004
KitMaker: 30 posts
Armorama: 30 posts
Posted: Monday, May 04, 2020 - 06:15 PM UTC
Hi all,
I’m looking at grabbing the Miniart T-55.
Either the T-55 Mod. 1970 WITH OMSh TRACKS 37064 or T-55A MOD.1981 37024,
I would like to construct a Russian 40th Army from Afghanistan. During the Soviet/Afgan war.

Issue is which one? I know manufactures get markings wrong, I'm not saying both or either of these kits marking are wrong. I just don’t know, from my research. I would like to know where they got their reference from.
I have googled and found nothing on T-55 manned by Russians in Afghanistan. I know there were T54/55 there (I saw two knocked out ones not far from Tarin Kwot). All I can find on the net is T-55 manned by the Afghanistan Army from the soviet/afghan war.

I built the Tamiya T-55A years ago (10+) and was impressed. I did have to add upgrades and a bit of scratch building. But at the time it was the best kit out there in my opinion.
Looking on line and some reviews, to me the miniart series of T-54/55 are next level. With very few mods if any to make.

So I’m asking which one would be correct and what if, any modifications need to make an accurate T-55 from a Russian unit. I’m no T-55 expert by far. So any help is appreciated.

Cheers,

GG
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts
Posted: Monday, May 04, 2020 - 07:33 PM UTC
Check out this thread from a Russian forum (Google Translator is your friend ) for some period pics. This guy has used Tamiya T-55 and several aftermarket sets for his project :

https://artmodels.forum2x2.ru/t464-topic

H.P.
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2020 - 08:50 AM UTC
The problem with most period photos is that they weren't taken with our modeling needs in mind. I'm no self professed T-55 guru (that guy was actually banned from this site) but I think the major differences are in the engine decks. Send me your email address and I'll see if I can't dredge up some of my photos from the famed Kabul Boneyard. I know I have a lot on video but it's been ages since I hooked up the camera to my TV.
gibbo
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Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Joined: June 21, 2004
KitMaker: 30 posts
Armorama: 30 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2020 - 02:46 PM UTC
Thanks Lads,
The build log is pretty good. Got to get the translater going.
Did see some pics of the grave yard. Not sure if they are ANA or Soviet. Most likely a mix of both. PM incoming.

Still not sure of which kit to get.

Cheers,

Brett
stephane
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Hauts-de-Seine, France
Joined: October 10, 2005
KitMaker: 432 posts
Armorama: 429 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 06, 2020 - 08:04 PM UTC
I don't thinks that the Soviets used T55 in Afghanistan. I have a few books and all the tanks are T62 (most are later versions with BDD add on).
The national Afghan army used a lot of T54A and later in the 80's some T55 (with and without DSHK, and some with side skirts but without other later upgrades).
In the 90's russia gave T55A mod 65 late and T55A mod 81 to the nothern alliance.
The best source to identify the T55/54 versions is the Miniart site. For example a T55 without DSHK is russian build, Cz and polish build have it.
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
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Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 12:11 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I don't thinks that the Soviets used T55 in Afghanistan.



Why not (in the early stage of the war at least...) ?

Quote 1

Quote 2

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/t-55-combat.htm

https://www.wikiwand.com/ru/40-%D1%8F_%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%8F

I wish I could have posted more links but the access to most Russian websites is blocked on my computer (I'm at work...)

H.P.
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 08:00 AM UTC
http://btvt.narod.ru/2/t55inwar.htm

http://otvaga2004.ru/boyevoe-primenenie/boyevoye-primeneniye02/armor-afghan-1979-1989-1/

https://m.business-gazeta.ru/article/437939

H.P.
gibbo
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Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Joined: June 21, 2004
KitMaker: 30 posts
Armorama: 30 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 10:32 PM UTC
Hi,
Thanks for the links.Had a look at them this afternoon. Bit of a issue with a very slow internet connect, due to been in a remote location. So good info. Does confirm the Russian had them there

I didn't think Russians used the T-55 in Afghanistan. Only the Afghan army did.
I believe from info seen, The Soviets used them.
So from the start I was wrong. But I have always wanted to do an Russian T-55. One from the Afghan/Soviet war would be great.

I did have a look at the miniart site, But has no reference only art work of options in the the two kits.

So I'm after the variants and solid pictures of vehicles deployed.

Once again, thanks. slowly getting there.

Cheers,

Brett
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
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Posted: Friday, May 08, 2020 - 12:52 AM UTC
MiniArt T-55 Mod. 1981 kit (37020) includes markings for a tank belonging to the OKSVA (40th Army) in Afghanistan (1980) :

http://miniart-models.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/37020_Instr.pdf

H.P.
gibbo
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Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Joined: June 21, 2004
KitMaker: 30 posts
Armorama: 30 posts
Posted: Friday, May 08, 2020 - 01:07 AM UTC
Cheers,
I believe that the same as the 37024 but with interior.

What track does the T-55 Mod 81 use?

Also found this build.
http://armorama.com/forums/267179&page=1
very impressive.

Cheers,

GG
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts
Posted: Friday, May 08, 2020 - 01:14 AM UTC
Kit 37020 includes RMSh tracks :

http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/russia/miniart37020reviewcs_1.html

In fact the built you've came across on Armorama is the one I've mentionned in my first post It can be found on several forums....

H.P.
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