T-54/55 versions

[brummbaer]

Seeing the thread about the T-62, I thought that some improvement could be done on these venerable tanks as well. I collected in time some data from publications and the net: the main being the Osprey book and some discussions on TankNet. I can hardly be more accurate since I've been putting together data often disagreeing among themselves. Date should be of start production, but since months are not available Ii think they can be taken for enter service year as well. Dates of dismission are much more difficult to gather, since most tanks were put in storage when no longer in service.
I start with the T-54 which is somewhat easier.

T-54 model 1946 o T-54-1 (Obj. 137) (1949). First production version.
2 fender mounted SG-43 MGs, D-10T gun, 34 rounds; thicker glacis armor (120mm@60deg) than later models, turret front armor 200mmm; TSh-20 sights; V-54 engine.
Maybe 1200 produced, used for trials in Bielorussian MD, then dismissed and turrets used as fortifications on soviet-China border.

T-54 model 1949 o T-54-2 (1951)
glacis armor reduced (100mm@60deg). TSh2-22 telescopic sight instead of TSh-22. Fender MGs removed and bow SG-43 MG mounted fixed in glacis, fired by driver. BK-5 HEAT round with 290mm (Soviet) or 275mm (Yugo) penetration introduced. Produced 2000-2500.

T-54 model 1951 o T-54-3 (1952-1954)
Introduced "standard" turret shape. MGs changed to SGMT. Telescopic sights TSh-2-22.

T-54K (1958)
command version of model 1951, additional R-112 radio, APU, no glacis MG.

TO-54 (1954)
Flamethrower instead of coax. 19 rounds for a gun, 20 shots for the ATO-1 FT.

T-54A (Obj. 137G) 1955-1956.
D-10TG gun with vertical stabiliser STP-1 "Gorisont" and fume extractor. Driver's IR TVN-1 sight and IR lights; Telescopic sights TSh-2A-22; R-113 radio, R-120 intercom; Schnorkel OPVT.
Produced 3956?; in Poland 2855 1956-64, in CS 2490 + 120K 1958-1966.

T-54AK 1958.
Command version, additional R-112 radio, APU, no glacis MG.

T-54B (Obj. 137G2) 1956
D-10T2S gun with two-plane stabiliser STP-2 "Ciklon", TPN-1-22-11 gunner’s and TKN-1 commander’s IR sight, new turret traverse mechanism, L-2 (gunners) and OU-3 (TCs) IR searchlights. Additional fuel storage enabling 430km range, shnorkel sistem (it was later fitted to early T-54s also), some tanks got mounts for KMT-4M/5M. Those produced in Poland are identified as T-54AM with external tanks, rotating turret floor and hydraulic commands.

T-54BK (1960)
Additional R-112 radio, AB-1-P/30 APU, no glacis MG.

T-54M (1977)
Modernisation of models 1946/1949/1951. D-10T2S gun with "Ciklon-M" 2 planes stabiliser, KDT-1 LRF, new ammo storage (43 rounds), new stabilised gunners sight, IR sights for TC, gunner and driver, L-2 (gunners) and OU-3 (TCs) IR searchlights. MGs changed for PKTs, V-55 or V-55V engine, PAZ anti-radiation equipment, automatic fire estinguishers.

T-54MK - command version, additional R-112 radio, TNA-4 APU, no bow MG.

T-54AM - modernisation as in T-54M, based on T-54A.

Production totals USSR 24750, PL and CS 5465 T-54A/AM.

Corrections and integrations are welcome.
T-55 next time.

[Marcello]

There is one issue that has been bothering me for some time. The T-54 has a an ammo load of 34 rounds. During its lifetime it was subjected to various modernizations and a typical one was removing the bow machine gun. Now, does anybody know if this was used to add few rounds? Or was the load still 34 ? Because if I recall correctly bringing it up to 43 required modifications to the fuel tanks.
Note that I am thinking about limited modernizations here, not extensive ones like the T-54M upgrade.

[brummbaer]

On with the T-55, and things get tougher...
Btw, I'm leaving out elements irrilevant to the game, like external stowage boxes etc.

T-55 (Obj. 155) in production 6/1958-7/1962:
Based on T-54B and T-54M. 580hp V-55 engine and new transmission 155.08 sbB, max speed 50km/h; PAZ anti radiation equipment, automatic fire-fighting equipment "Rosa"; 100mm D-10T2S gun with STP-2 "Ciklon" two-plane stabiliser, 43 rounds, TSh2B-32P gunner sight, no AAMG, two SGMT mgs (one coax, one fixed in glacis, fired by driver), introduced BK-5M HEAT round with 390mm (Soviet) or 375mm (Yugo) penetration, side armor protection over engine compartment reduced to 70mm; smoke generator in the exhaust.
AAMG introduced back in 1969. KTD-1 LRF introduced in 1974. Neither of those two mods have any specific designation.

T-55K (1959)Additional R-112 radio, APU, no glacis MG, 37 rounds

TO-55 (1960)ATO-200 FT instead of coax with 12 shots supply of fuel, 25 main gun rounds, 750 rounds for glacis MG.

T-55A (Obj. 155A) 1962-1977:
Anti-neutron liner, no glacis MG, coax changed to PKT.
AAMG introduced back in 1970.
KTD-1 LRF introduced in 1974.

T-55AK (1962)
Additional R-112 radio, APU, 37 rounds

T-55AD (1983) T-55A equipped with 1030M "Drozd" APS
T-55AD-1 (1983) 1030M "Drozd" APS, V-46-5M engine.
Altogether 250 tanks for soviet naval infantry.

About 30.000 produced.
Poland built T-55 from 1958 to 1964 and T-55A from 1964 to 1977 for a total of 7000; command tanks AD1 (equivalent of K-1 for regiment commanders) and AD2 (eq. to K1 and K2 for for comapany and battalion commanders).
Czech built 3377 T-55, 3820 T-55A, 1280 T-55AK-1.
Rumenian versions are left aside for the moment.

Modernizations:

T-55M (1984) T-55 modernisation. "Volna" FCS, KDT-2 LRF, BV-55 ballistic computer, TShSM-32PV two-plane independently stabilised gunner sight, 2 planes gun stabilizer"Ciklon-M1" stabiliser, 9K116 "Bastion" missile system with 1K13 guidance sight, 12.7 AAMG, thermal shroud for gun, additional BDD armor for glacis and turret (380mm KE, 450mm HEAT), 10mm reinforced rubber side-skirts, additional 20mm armor under the drivers seat; V-55U engine with 620hp, new torsion bars; new radio R-173; SGD Type 902B Tucha 81mm.

T-55M1 No missile capability.
T-55M-1 (1984) with V-46-5M engine.
T-55M1-1 No missile capability, V-46-5M engine.
T-55M1K Command tank, no missile capability, APU, additional R-112 radio, 37 rounds
T-55M1K-1 same with V-46-5M engine.

T-55MV no additional BDD armor but K-1 ERA mounted
T-55M1V no missile capability
T-55MV-1 V-46-5M engine.
T-55M1V-1 V-46-5M engine.
T-55M1VK command version, analogue to T-55M1K
T-55M1VK-1 command version, analogue to T-55M1K-1.

T-55AM modernisation based on T-55A, same improvements as in T-55M
T-55AM1 no missile guidance
T-55AM-1 with V-46-5M engine.
T-55AM1-1 no missile capability, V-46-5M engine.
T-55AM1K command version, analogue to T-55M1K
T-55AM1K-1 command version, analogue to T-55M1K-1

T-55AMD Drozd APS, without additional BDD turret armor
T-55AMD-1 Drozd APS, without additional BDD turret armor, V-46-5M engine.
The same 250 tanks, if still all serviceable, of naval infantry.

T-55AMV no additional BDD armor but K-1 ERA mounted. Ukraine and Syria have upgraded to this standard.
T-55AM1V no missile capability
T-55AMV-1 V-46-5M engine.
T-55AM1V-1 no missile capability, V-46-5M engine.
T-55AM1VK command version analogue to T-55M1K
T-55AM1VK-1 command version analogue to T-55M1K-1.

T-55AM2B: Czech built T-55AMV with Kladivo FCS, LRF, meteorological sensor and Bastion ATGM. Adopted by CZ and DDR.
T-55AM2 same without Bastion ATGM.
T-55AM2PB USSR built for DDR (about 100?) and after reunification sold back to USSR, plus other transformed for russian army, Kladivo LRF, Bastion e K-1 ERA.

T-55AM2P: Polish buil T-55AMV con Bobrova LWR, Merida FCS, SGD. Command tanks T-55AD1M e AD2M.

[brummbaer]

Marcello: I don't know about the bow MG exchanged for more rounds.
I hope this can be useful to the staff for updating the oobs. It's up to them decide which versions to include in the game and which not.

I have a similar list for T-72, while I still have to find the time to study the T-64 and T-80. Let me know if you find it useful. If not I don't want to clutter the forum with further threads.

[DRG]

OK .......the T-54M. Who used it ? Russia ? Or were they only exported? Your date is 1977 but I've seen others that say .....

# T-54M (mid-1960s) – Upgrade program to bring T-54s up to T-55 standard.
# T-54M (1977) – Additional upgrades, including OPVT snorkel and KTD-1 laser rangefinder.

which indicates this was done in stages and the first stage made the T54m essentially the same tank as a T55M and "Mid sixties" could mean some were started in 1963 and they were all upgraded by 1968 during overhauls......maybe.

Other sources ( http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...ussia/t-54.htm ) say "T-54M: T-54 upgraded to the T-55M standard. See T-55M." so aside from one being called "T-54" and one being called "T-55" they are essentially the same tank and although I appreciate that this would seem to be "more historical" it's also redundant. If it genuinely fills an important spot in a nations OOB I would be happy to add it. If all we are doing is renaming a T55m to T54M there seems little point

This from Wikipedia. I don't really like quoting Wiki but here goes...."The T-54 and T-55 tanks are very similar and difficult to distinguish visually. Many T-54s were updated to T-55 standards. Soviet tanks were factory-overhauled every 7,000 km, and often given minor technology updates."

So every overhaul some new little gadget may have replaced an old one or a new thingy is tacked on which means any OOB is just an approximation of reality as it is impossible to say with 100% certainty that at any given date the OOB of any nation exactly mirrors reality.

Don

[brummbaer]

From Osprey book:
"The T-54M program begun in the mid-60s to upgrade the T-54 with new features and components from the T-55 program. To further confuse matters a second T-54M program was developed in 1977 by the Omsk KTMB with further upgrades, including the addition of the OPVT system and the KTD-1 LRF... The T-54AM upgrade in the mid 60s brought the T-54A closer to the T-55A standards, including the increase in stored ammonition and engine."

So I'd say you're right with the two stage modernization;
though it doesn't state that clearly, my guess is that T-54M/AM were kept by the Red Army at least in mobilization units and storage, and they kept selling them for years.

My point is trying to make some clearness about the models that were developed, thence your choice if include them or not: I agree that synthesis of redundant models is better.

[PlasmaKrab]

As well, what would be the actual difference between tanks of the T-55M and T-55AM series? If we assume both modernizations were carried out at the same time, on modernized T-55As and plain T-55s, wouldn't the latter also get the 55A-level upgrades like the PKT and DShK?
In the same way as what Don said above, both M and AM series could probably be collapsed together.

[brummbaer]

PlasmaKrab said:
As well, what would be the actual difference between tanks of the T-55M and T-55AM series? If we assume both modernizations were carried out at the same time, on modernized T-55As and plain T-55s, wouldn't the latter also get the 55A-level upgrades like the PKT and DShK?
In the same way as what Don said above, both M and AM series could probably be collapsed together.

The main difference is the same between T-55 and T-55A, i.e. the anti-radiation liner, and the lacking in A of the bow MG. Don't know about changing MG in modernized plain T-55s, but irrilevant I'd say. So I agree, not a major difference for SP purpose, as long as they don't cover nuclear warfare .
It's even difficult to tell the A apart from the plain T-55, as in some pictures tanks named T-55 and T-55M apparently lack the bow MG hole!
What I know about modernization years is above, anyway being the plain T-55 older it's reasonable to assume they underwent it earlier. Maybe i misunderstand you, but just for clarity T-55A weren't modernized tanks but new-built ones.

[PlasmaKrab]

OK, thanks for the update, I thought at least part of the T-55As were modernized from stock T-55s.
Anyway, it boils down to the only difference between M and AM being, in game terms, the BMG.
I don't know if the old CMG has been retained while rebuilding the old T-55s to M standard, but when you're already taking out the stabilizer, gunner sight and probably gunbarrel, changing the CMG as well is no big feat.

[brummbaer]

Having made some thought of it:
T-54M/AM (not the polish AM) can be assimilated to plain T-55, T-55 can be assimilated to T-55A and M to AM.
This simplify things a bit, but leaves a lot of variants still that the game now doesn't cover or mixes in odd way. Any interest by the designers in going further?