News for all things related to Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles
This video about the Soviet T-55 showed up recently on youtube. The video is part of a new channel by “RedCarUSSR.” A tour of the exterior and interior of the vehicle is provided, accompanied by an English translation of the Russian language audio. The translation is a little rough but still understandable.
This channel also has videos on the T-62…
..and the Self-propelled gun Object 268
Today we decided that sometimes the Photo of the Day feature can be a video instead.
Here is a youtube clip of Viivi Pumpanen, Miss Finland 2010, driving a T-55.
Today we present a report from the British Archives dating back to 1970 concerning the Soviet T-55 tank. This particular report was conducted jointly by the British and the Israelis and documents “trials to assess the weapon system and fightability characteristics of the Soviet T-55 tank.” We have uploaded the entire report onto a separate page which can be viewed here. The report is quite lengthy and will be of interest for those interested in the T-55 tank, particularly those looking for information as to the crew ergonomics. We have transcribed the report summary below:
The main points which emerged form the assessment are:
Ballistic dispersion of the 100mm gun – this was found to be comparable with western standards, ie intrinsic dispersion applicable to full bore projectiles – AP or HE.
The Weapon System – it is simple and has the basic components of any AFV system but without any sophistication or complexity.
The Gun Control System – it is crude. The hand controls do not operate smoothly and in particular elevation and depression is of a low standard due mainly to excessive gun muzzle preponderance. The power and stabilizer controls leave much to be desired, this applies particularly to attempts at engaging targets on the move with the 100mm gun.
Vision for the Driver and Gunner – it is adequate but, for the commander, the devices provided are, by British standards, inadequate and cupola arrangements are of poor quality. They do not compare favorably with the equipment provided for the commander in Centurion of the 1958 period.
Fuel Stowage – this constitutes a fire hazard. The forward or hull front tank surrounds 100mm ammunition and other fuel is carried in “Jerry Can” type containers which are plumbed into the system and situated on the right side track guard and are highly vulnerable to aircraft cannon fire.
Ammunition Stowage – other than the rounds stowed in the forward hull compartment, some rounds – about 6 – are stowed above the turret ring on the turret walls. the rounds are secured by rather crudely designed clips. The total carried is 43. The rounds are heavy.
Armour Protection – for a weight of 6 tons the arrangement of armour is a point in favour of the T-55 tank although it is well known that considerable success against the armour was obtained from attacks with the British 105mm L28 APDS ammunition during the Six Day War.
Silhouette – this is similar to that of the FRG Leopard tank. However, detection of the tank is enhanced by the external fittings on the turret roof. It is, however, a compact vehicle.
Vehicle Generated Smoke – this is extremely effective and simple to operate. A few tanks employed in creating a smoke screen can accomplish a screen of high density, lacking “windows”, in a very short time – a very good feature.
Fightability in General – the vehicle is rugged, the ammunition is heavy and awkward to handle in the cramped crew positions, the gun is loaded from the right side, ie left handed loading, and the result is a very low rate of fire which when combined with the low chance of hit with the first round of an engagement constitutes rather poor fightability characteristics.
Click here to see the entire report.
World of Tanks researcher Nick Moran has released a new video in his “Inside the Hatch” series.
Usually in the “From the Vault” section we post pretty serious stuff, old articles, archive documents or government videos. Today we present something on the lighter side of things. We ran across this British TV advert for Snickers candy bars featuring Mr T and a T-55 tank. We thought it mildly amusing and worth sharing. Enjoy.
The blog War is Boring has a new article on the history of the T-54/55. Like most articles on War is Boring, this is not an in-depth article nor does it delve much into technical matters concerning the tank. However, people may find it an entertaining quick read. We did take the liberty of posting in the comment section of the article pointing out the authors error in referring to the T-34 suspension as a “leaf spring” system.
Excerpt:
Like the AK-47 but for tanks, T-54 and T-55s endure on battlefields around the world. Simple to operate and maintain, these decades-old Soviet armored beasts are still popular in small nations and with non-state irregular forces — a true “people’s tank.”
If a coup or fratricidal civil war breaks out in one of Moscow’s current or former beneficiaries, there’s good chances T-54 or T-55s are taking part.
When Afghanistan collapsed in the 1990s, the Taliban and Northern Alliance coalition both inherited T-55s formerly belonging to the communist government. The tanks served in Yugoslavia’s multi-sided civil war during the same decade.
Today, captured Iraqi and Syrian T-55s serve under the black flag of Islamic State and other rebel groups fighting in the region. For these insurgent armies, the 60-year old tanks are just as useful as far more modern designs such as the M1 Abrams.
In News (by inSerbia Netword Foundation) is reporting that the Serbian Ministry of Defense has announced that it will begin the sale of 282 T-55 tanks. Also available are 220 armored personnel carriers M-60, M-80, BTR-50 and BTR-60 and antitank weapons POLO, as well as 200 howitzers of 105 and 155 millimeters. Various stocks of small arms, anti-aircraft guns, rocket launchers, and three SNAR-10 radars will also be for sale. It should be noted that most of this equipment is from the Cold War and relatively obsolete by European standards. The notice published on January 27 on the website of the Ministry states that the invitation to participate in the public bidding for the purchase of above mentioned weapons will be sent to legal entities that are legally entitled to buy this kind military equipment. It is unclear from the article exactly which model of T-55 is being sold. Serbia operates an upgraded version of the vehicle called the T-55H which includes an improved powerpack, ERA protection and enhanced fire control systems.
Tank and AFV News 