
Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3309 - T-55 East German Army |
| 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 |
| During the 1970s and early 1980s the East German NVA (National People’s Army) had approximately 2,500 T-54 and T-55 tanks in their front line service. In 1978 the new and improved T-72 tank began to arrive so between 1984 and 1989 in an effort to extend the life of the T-55 an upgrade program was started. It consisted of additional armor and new fire control systems. During the Cold War East Germany maintained two Panzer Divisions. Each Panzer Division consisted of 3 regiments and each regiment consisted of 3 battalions. Each battalion was equipped with 7 T-55s. This meant each Regiment was equipped with 21 T-55s. This was similar to the Soviet setup. 9th Panzer Division / I \ 21st Regiment 22nd Regiment 23rd Regiment I I I Battalions Battalions Battalions / I \ / I \ / I \ A B C A B C A B C / I \ / I \ / I \ 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 7th Panzer Division / I \ 14th Regiment 15th Regiment 16th Regiment I I I Battalions Battalions Battalions / I \ / I \ / I \ A B C A B C A B C / I \ / I \ / I \ 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 T-55 |