T-54 Medium Tank
The T-54 medium tank served in the Soviet army from 1949 until it was superseded by the T-55 in 1958, which features NBC protection and other improvements, but is outwardly very similar to the T-54. Developed from a prototype T-44-100 in 1945, the T-54, with its 100 mm tank gun, was intended to replace the older T-34/85 and T-44/85. With an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 units built, the T-54/55 medium tanks are still the most-produced tank in history.
Available Models
- T-54-1 Medium Tank (1947), 1:35 MiniArt 37003
- T-54-1 Medium Tank (1947), 1:43 herpa SSM3021
- T-54-1 Medium Tank (1947), 1:72 Zebrano 72011
- T-54-2 Medium Tank (1949), 1:35 MiniArt 37004
- T-54-2 Medium Tank (NVA), 1:48 Premium ClassiXXs 47027
- T-54-3 Medium Tank (1951), 1:35 MiniArt 37007
- T-54-3 Medium Tank (1951), 1:72 PST 72045
- T-54-3 Medium Tank (NVA), 1:87 Herpa 745000
- T-54 Medium Tank, 1:72 ACE 72140
- T-54 Medium Tank, 1:76 Skytrex FF702
- T-54 Medium Tank, 1:87 Crusader Models CMZ01
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:35 Skif 238
- T-54A Medium Tank (Tschechoslowakei), 1:72 Altaya
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:72 PST 72045
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:72 Trumpeter
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:76 Crusader Models CMC09
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:87 Crusader Models CMZ02
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:87 ROCO 163
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:87 miniTanks 623
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:87 herpa 741859
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:87 Artitec 6870107
- T-54A Medium Tank (Vietnam), 1:87 Artitec 6870089
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:87 SDV 87020
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:100 Roskopf 153
- T-54A Medium Tank, 1:300 Heroics & Ros SM96
- T-54B Medium Tank, 1:35 Miniart 37019
- T-54B Medium Tank (1952), 1:35 Trumpeter 35038
- T-54B Medium Tank, 1:35 Takom 2055
- T-54B Medium Tank, 1:72 Trumpeter
- T-54B Medium Tank, 1:300 Heroics & Ros SM97
- Typ 59 (China), 1:35 MiniArt
- Typ 59 (China), 1:35 Trumpeter
- Typ 59 (China), 1:35 Italeri 36508
- Typ 59 (China), 1:72 Trumpeter 07285
- Typ 59 (China), 1:72 Hobby Master HG3308
- T-54 AM2 Medium Tank Kladivo (Tschechoslowakei), 1:87 SDV 87144
- T-54 M Medium Tank (modernised), 1:87 SDV 87106
Technical Specifications
- T-54
- Type: Medium Tank
- Engine: V-12 diesel W-54/W-55 with 38,88 l displacement, 373 kW / 500 PS (597 kW / 800 HP, late Version)
- Speed: 48 km/h auf Straßen
- Range: 600 km on Roads (500 km Cross-Country)
- Total Length: 9000 mm
- Width: 3370 mm
- Height: 2400 mm
- Ground Clearance: 425 mm
- Weight: 36,000 kg
- Armament:
- 100 mm Gun D-10TG (T-54A)
- 100 mm Gun D-10T2S with 41 Shells (T-54B)
- 7,62 mm PKT MG coaxial, und 7,62 mm PKT MG in the Hull, 2000 Rounds
- 12,7 mm DSchKM AA-Machine Gun, 500 Rounds
- Crew: Commander, Driver, Gunner, Loader
- Production: estimated 40,000+ to 50,000+ Units
- Soviet Union, 1946–1981
- Poland 1956–1979
- Czechoslovakia 1957–1983
There are different estimates of T-54 production numbers, ranging from at least 40,000 to more than 50,000 units. The T-54/T-55 is the most-produced tank in history.
Historical Employment
- Medium Tank Company, 1955 to today
- Company Commander with T-54AK or T-54BK Command Tank
- 1st Tank Platoon of three T-54
- 2nd Tank Platoon of three T-54
- 3rd Tank Platoon of three T-54
From 1955 to the present day, the T-54 has participated in virtually every major and countless minor conflicts world-wide. After the end of the Cold War in Europe, T-54/T-55 medium tanks of the National People‘s Army of the German Democratic Republic and other Warsaw Pact armies were scrapped, or transferred to less developed countries in Africa and Asia so that even the poorest of the world may wage war properly.
During the Cold War, T-10 heavy tanks were to support T-45/T-55 medium tanks with effective long range fire in combined arms operations. However, with comparable armament and armour, the medium tanks proved to be superior, they were lighter, faster, more mobile, more versatile, more robust, and cheaper than the heavy tanks, which is why they evolved into the modern man battle tank (or universal tank) in the early 1970s, superseding the heavy tank.
Bibliography
- Ford, Roger: , p. 123, 124, 143, 144
- Spielberger/Siegert/Hanske: Die Kampfpanzer der NVA, Militärfahrzeuge Bd. 16 (1996)
Models of the T-54 medium tank are very suitable for wargamers interested in simulating the Cold War, its many proxy wars, or the countless post-colonial conflicts in Africa and Asia.