T-55 Russian Army, Praga, 1968 (1:72)

In January of 1968 Alexander Dub ek became the leader of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. His predeccors had slowly started mild reforms but Dub ek wanted to speed them up and suggested that the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (CSSR) reach mature socialism using its own method rather than follow the Soviet Union�s. This displeased the Soviets as it gave more rights to the people so after failed negotiations between the two countries the Soviet Union�s military and its Warsaw Pact allies invaded. On the night of August 20 - 21, 1968 200,000 Warsaw Pact troops and 2,000 tanks that included many T-55�s invaded Czechoslavakia. 72 Czechoslovaks were killed and hundreds wounded. In April 1969 Dub ek was replaced with someone more sympathetic towards the Soviets. Eventually all Warsaw Pacts troops were withdrawn from the country.

The T-55 was essentially an improved T-54 and began to enter service in 1959. Some of the improvements were a more powerful V-12 diesel engine, an inproved transmission, a rotating turret floor and the eliminnation of the Loader�s cupola. The T-55 had the 12.7mm anti-aircraft turret machine gun and the 7.62mm machine gun in the bow plate eliminated. The removal of the 7.62mm machine gun made room for more room to carry ammunition for the main gun. Later versions of the T-55 had the 12.7mm machine reinstalled. The T-55A also had an anti-radiation lining added. The T-54/55 were manufactured in the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia and China. Almost 50 countries have the T-55 in their arsenal and many modernization packages are available that will keep this tank in action for years to come.

T-55A Specifications

Crew 4

Weights
Weight: 36.6 tons (33203 kg)
Ground pressure: 12.66 lb/in sq. (0.89 kg/cm sq.)

Dimensions
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)

Powerplant
Model V-55 diesel, 520 hp (390 kW), 12cylinder, 38.88 liter water cooled
Power/weight ratio: 14 hp/tonne

Performance
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)
Fording depth: Normal � 4.6 ft (1.4 m)
With snorkel � 18 ft (5.5 m)

Armament
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
Mounted armament: .5 in (12.7 mm) (12.7 X 108R) AA MG DShKM