16 replies to this topic

[TheCat]

Model Kit: Tamiya Kit #35257
Scale: 1:35

Model Box

[Scalefinishes]

Exceptional! I love those old T55s, and the Tamiya kit is a good one.

[Blake Rogers]

nice man i seen alot of these when i was over seas not in as nice shape as your kit

[gray07]

love it

[george 53]

I like it! Notice how the road wheels look like Army Torque Thrust mags???? Cool!!!

[Harry P.]

ok... stupid question, but what were those barrels on the back end filled with? And is that a log across the back? What was that for???

I guess my complete lack of any knowledge of tanks is pretty obvious!

[george 53]

'At's ok Harry. Russian Tanks are not a usually seen thing on our streets. Now over there, they probably are seen ALOT!!!
Those barrels on the back are the mufflers and noise suppresion system for it. Like you can suppres a TANK!!!!

[Harry P.]

Those barrels on the back are the mufflers and noise suppresion system for it.

And that thing that looks like a log??? What's that?

[george 53]

Looks like a log to me too.

[Agent G]

Nope the barrels, as well as the tank looking contraptions on the right fender, are spare fuel tanks. These were/are diesels so it was decided since the diesel fuel wasn't quite as volatile as gasoline, extra could be carried externally. The cylinder under the barrels is where the the cleaning rods for the main gun are stored, I think. On occasion these held the radio antennas, depending on the version.

Yeah, right. Who in the wide wide world of sports wants to ride in this beast, carting flammable liquids around for everyone to shoot at? Russians! Jeez

My time as a grunt working beside tanks proved I was right about one thing. I CAN run faster scared than they can shoot. Besides I can get real low real fast.

BTW The exhausts are the rectangular openings in the fenders towards the rear above the fourth and fifth roadwheels.

The log is a log. Should this beastie get highsided while rumbling over a mound, hillock, or enemy position the log was used to "unditch" the tank. What they did was latch the log between the tracks behind the tank. Then the driver put this puppy in reverse and slowly backed up. The log went under the tank, contacted whatever the tank was hung up on, and in theory, helped push the tank back off whatever object it was stuck on.

Since this T 55 weighed about 45/50 tons loaded, it was problematic at best. This was a hold over from earlier times when tanks didn't weigh as much.

This was NOT something done by the US anytime after WWI.

So endeth todays history lesson.

G

Edited by AgentG, 16 February 2011 - 04:44 PM.

[Harry P.]

Hmmm... carrying spare fuel in two completely visible and vulnerable barrels? Maybe they should have just gone ahead and painted bullseyes on them while they were at it.

I hope the guy who designed that served some time in Siberia!

[Agent G]

yep he did........................

G

[george 53]

Thank You Wayne, THAT was informative! I ALWAYS thought those were the muffling system. WHO woulda EVER put fuel tanks COMPLETELY exposed on a Combat Vehicle!!! THAT'S just ONE reason there is NO LONGER a Soviet Union. Yeeesh!

[Harry P.]

Thank You Wayne, THAT was informative! I ALWAYS thought those were the muffling system. WHO woulda EVER put fuel tanks COMPLETELY exposed on a Combat Vehicle!!! THAT'S just ONE reason there is NO LONGER a Soviet Union. Yeeesh!

No problem... if anyone tried to mess with their fuel tanks they would beat them off with that log!

[Agent G]

Between WWI and WWII all the nations developed some form of strategy concerning armored forces. The Russkies took a long look at their huge country and realized no vehicle could effectively be refueled in a timely manner. It was decreed therefore all armored vehicles, tanks, were to carry some form of external storage.

To this day you will find the mounts for those fuel drums mounted on even the most modern variants of Russian armor.

G

[george 53]

No problem... if anyone tried to mess with their fuel tanks they would beat them off with that log!

Harry WHY does that sound like something they WOULD do????

[Harry P.]

To this day you will find the mounts for those fuel drums mounted on even the most modern variants of Russian armor.

G

But apparently they've finally figured out a way to hide the tanks?

No wonder they lost the Cold War...