Ground Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>T55>HG3302
T-55A Polish Army w/A.A. machine gun "3369"
General Background
After WWII Russia began mass production of their T-54/55 tanks. It carried an impressive 100mm main gun on a low silhouette with a turret designed for maximum protection. It also has a very distinctive space between the first and second road wheels. The T-55A version has anti-radiation capabilities plus a few minor improvements. Production also took place in Czechoslovakia, Poland and China (model T-59) with approximately 95,000 tanks of all variants being produced. The T-55 has been used in over 40 countries and after almost 50 years many are still in use.
The Tank
A rapid build up of new Russian tanks started the USA to worry about a battle in Europe fighting thousands of Soviet tanks just like the T-55A. This concern sparked a fierce tank development race between the two countries and in the U.S. the development of the Attack Helicopter became a priority. The T-55 was sold to over 40 countries and came in numerous variants. The T-54/55 became the most produced tank series in history.
A replacement for the aging T-34 was needed so the T-44 was created that evolved into the T-54 then in 1958 the T-55. From 1964 – 1979 under license from Russia, Poland built the T-55A. The T-55A retained the T-54 and T-55 improvements plus a few of its own, improved anti-radiation protection, improved NBC system and no bow MG. In 1970, after countless complaints a cupola was provided for the 12.7mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun. Some estimate 95,000 - 130,000 T-54 and T-55 series tanks were manufactured.
A replacement for the aging T-34 was needed so the T-44 was created that evolved into the T-54 then in 1958 the T-55. From 1964 – 1979 under license from Russia, Poland built the T-55A. The T-55A retained the T-54 and T-55 improvements plus a few of its own, improved anti-radiation protection, improved NBC system and no bow MG. In 1970, after countless complaints a cupola was provided for the 12.7mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun. Some estimate 95,000 - 130,000 T-54 and T-55 series tanks were manufactured.
Specifications :
| Weight: | 36.6 tons |
| Ground pressure: | 0.89 kg/cm sq. |
| Power/weight ratio: | 14 hp/tonne |
| Length: | 29.5 ft (9.0 m) with gun – 21.1 ft (6.45 m) without gun |
| Width: | 11.8 ft (3.60 m) |
| Height: | 7.6 ft (2.32 m) |
| Fording depth unprepared: | 4.6 ft (1.4 m) – with snorkel 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Powerplant: | Model V-55 diesel, 520 (390 kW), 12cylinder, 38.88 liter water cooled |
| Operational range: | 248.5/310.7 mi (400/500 km) – with drop tanks 372.8 mi (600 km) |
| Maximum road speed: | 31.06 mph (50 km/h) |
| Maximum off-road speed: | 21.75 mph (35 km/h) |
| Average cross-country speed: | 15.5 mph (25 km/h) |
| Armour: | 6.69/7.99 in (170/203 mm) |
| Gun: | 3.94 in (100 mm) rifled gun, D-10T2S |
| Auxiliary armament: | 3 in (7.62 mm) (7.62 X 54R) Machine Gun SGM-T/PKT |
| Mount armament: | 5 in (12.7 mm) (12.7 X 108R) AA MG DShKM |