MiniArt has stopped teasing us with "mere" T-54's and now the big game is in town! The T-55 Mod 1963 with full interior in 35th scale is upon us, and now we have a lot of info about his new kit and what to expect in our preview...
New from MiniArt - we begin in 1963 with the T-55 in 35th scale
Preview: T-55 Mod. 1963 Interior Kit
#37018
Scale: 1:35th
Series: Military Miniatures
Parts Count: 1284
MiniArt has stopped holding back on us - the mighty T55 is upon us in a 35th scale full interior kit. This venerable symbol of the cold war is has been used by so many countries in so many incarnations you could be there for ages just listing them all, we have a little of the history before we look at this new kit's features...
The T-55 Mod 1963
This version was derived from the prototype Ob\’yekt 155A in 1963, characterized by a new anti radiation lining and full PAZ/FVU chemical filtration system. This development was a logical step further after the PAZ protection suite and was developed by the Morozov design bureau in Kharkov in conjunction with NII Stali (scientific research institute for steel).
The result was a special lining called POV, and permitted by the intervention of the Vagonka bureau at Nizhni Tagil. This was a lead-impregnated plastic applied to all interior surfaces to protect the crew, the outsides of the hatches and hatch combings, protected by a thin steel cover. Outside the overpressure system, a new NBC-proven air filtration completed the set against chemical agents. After trials, the production started in August 1963 as the T-55A.
T-55 specifications
Dimensions: (L-w-h):6.27 (9 m oa) x 3.15 x 2.40 m (20.6 x 10.4 x 7.1 ft)
Total weight, battle ready:36 tons – 36.4 long tonnes (72,000 lbs)
Crew: 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Propulsion: V-55 12-cyl diesel, 581 hp (433 kW)
Top speed: 55 km/h (34 mph)
Suspensions: Torsion bars with hydraulic arms
Range (with extra tanks): 501 (960 l) to 600 km (311 to 370 mi)
Armament:Main: 1 x 100 mm D-10T2G or D-10T2 rifled (3.94 in)
Sec: 1 x 12.7 mm (0.5 in) DSHK AA (back in 1972)
Sec: 1-2x 7.62 mm (0.3 in) PKT & SGMT machine guns
Armor Frontal glacis 120 mm (4.7 in), sides 80 (3.15 in), rear 45 (1.77 in), turret front 200 (7.87 in), roof 30 (1.18 in), bottom 20 mm (0.79 in)
Production: 27,500 (USSR onlyApprox. )
The Kit:
Kit new kit from MiniArt contains a model of single Soviet medium tank T-55 with full interior in 35th scale, complete with full ammo loadout and lots of other features: Highly Detailed Model with Workable Torsion Bars
V-55 Engine Included
Fully Detailed Fighting Compartment Interior
Driver Compartment Interior Accurately Represented
All Hatches Can Be Posed Open
Individual Track Links
Total Parts Count 1284
1091 Plastic Parts
167 Photo-Etched Parts
26 Clear Plastic Parts
12 Variants Of Painting & Markings
Build Options:
The kit can be assembled with or without fitting for mine roller system.
Fitting options of deep wading equipment.
2 types of fuel tanks.
2 types of toolboxes.
2 options of anti-rain cover for the driver.
The kit can be build up with or without gun mantlet cover.
Build up options: 2 operating modes (day/night).
Markings for a plethora (12) T-55s from many nations are included in the box
This kit from MiniArt will soon be available - Until then, keep an eye on the MiniArt's excellent new website or just look in here for more info on MiniArt’s new stuff.
