Is the chinese T-69 basically a copy of the russian T-55 ???

Yes, but lots of the details are different. It's a lot more than just changing a paint job and markings.The most distinctive difference is the side skirts.

Google T-69 and T-69II and you'll fin lots of photos.

The T-59 was a Chinese copy of the T-54 and the T-69 is an upgraded T-59.

ok, because I saw a vehicle that was turned into an AA platform using the t-69 and really did not look forward to the trumpeter kit, so was thinking of going ahead with a 55. Guess not. Well time to dive in............thanks for the advice guys.

Yeah, it's a bit more involved than changing the driving lights and adding side skirts. The hardest part is adding the curved fan extension to the lower hull to accomodate the larger fan. It's very similar to the T-62 bulge.

Thanks bravo, guess im in for a fight huh?? lol :-)

First, the T-54 is essentially the same lower hull with a slightly different turret than the T-55.

And yes, the Chinese decided to do things a bit different than the russians when making their copies...making it hard on us model builders I suppose!

A suggestion...if you do nto want to do too much scratchbuilding, look into getting a Tamiya T-62 and T-55 and replace/laminate the rear hull part of the T-62 to the T-55 hull. It will probably not be as good as just scratchbuilding the bulge onto the T-55 hull, but it offers you another option.

Interesting,.....something to look into instead of chopping up.

I hate to once again be the bearer of bad news, but it won't work. (A few months ago someone wanted to put Tamiya track on a Trumpeter T-55, but it won't fit the sprocket) The Tamiya T-55 rear plate is wider and deeper than that of their T-62.
That said, the actual conversion isn't too hard. Start with the half moon shape underneath the plate, add a section of 1/25 truck fuel tank, and sand smooth.

Actually, I recieved a whole mess of Tamiya T-55 tracks and noticed the same sprocket problem. I just had some new sprockets cast up for me from a friend. If this is something that might be of interest to people, I can see if Sergej of SP Designs will make them available to people...?

As for the back plate...well, the T-62 is actually 1:32 scale, not 1:35, so the T-62 plate TECHNICALLY should be larger...but I am not sure, since I have not looked at the kits in question. However, I would imagine that either the plate could be modified by chopping or filling 9whatever need be) if you do not want to mess with making a curved section.

Personally, now that i have thought it over, I would buy a piece of Evergreen tube that was the correct diameter and then cut it to fit the T-55 back plate and work from their. No muss, no fuss, and it would probably be the most accurate way to do it.

Spades,

Im going to Waterbeach barracks on friday,

Theres an Iraqi type 69 with a dozer blade outside the guardhouse as a gate guardian.

Let me know which areas you need photos of

Greatbrit, if you could take pictures of the front, rear of tank as well as the hull (upper deck). Will not be using the turret, so I will not need any pics of the turret, just everything else I will need.

Thank you so very much for helping out with the reference photos as I do very much appreciate it.

If you do take pictures, could you please post them? I am thinking about this project as well, and I would love to see these pictures! They woudl be a great help!

Will do, although i doubt i will be able to get any shots of the engine deck.

The tank way the tank is positioned would make it difficult to get any shots.

GreatBrit, any pictures would be appreciated, just you offering was more than enough in my book. Here's a beer. Will get you a real one when I go to the U.K (god willing) later this year.