Author Topic: Soviet T-54/T-55 Series MBT - T-55 & T-55A (early production) Drawings 210422  (Read 13967 times)

Rubicon Models

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Our New Project for the month of August 2020 - 1/56 Soviet T-54 Main Battle Tank

Our plan is to cover all 5 variants of the T-54 MBT, including T-54-1, T-54-2, T-54-3, T-54A, and T-54B.

At this point, our focus is to have all 3D drawings for these variants finished, then we will decide what to release as a plastic kit.


For those who wanted some background history...

The T-54 and T-55 tanks are a series of Soviet main battle tanks introduced in the years following WW2. The first T-54 prototype was completed at by the end of 1945. Initial production ramp-up was settled for 1947 but was halted and curtailed as many problems were uncovered the following year; the T-34-85 still accounted for 88% of production through the 1950s. The T-54 eventually became the main tank for armoured units of the Soviet Army, armies of the Warsaw Pact countries, and many others. T-54s and T-55s have been involved in many of the world's armed conflicts since the later part of the 20th century.

The T-54/55 series eventually became the most-produced tank in military history. Estimated production numbers for the series range from 86,000 to 100,000. They were replaced by the T-62, T-64, T-72, T-80 and T-90 tanks in the Soviet and Russian armies, but remain in use by up to 50 other armies worldwide, some having received sophisticated retrofitting.

During the Cold War, Soviet tanks never directly faced their NATO adversaries in combat in Europe. However, the T-54/55's first appearance in the West around the period of the 1950s (then the beginning of the Cold War) spurred the United Kingdom to develop a new tank gun, the Royal Ordnance L7, and the United States to develop the M60 Patton.

Source: Wikipedia T-54/T-55 (edited)






























Enjoy!
;)
« Last Edit: May 07, 2021, 03:04:12 pm by Rubicon Models »

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2020, 03:39:52 pm »
Very nice.

Orkoverde

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2020, 04:30:19 pm »
LOVE IT!!!!. Very good idea to progress with a modern combat line.  :) :) :)

H0ffmn

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2020, 09:37:39 pm »


 Please use these type of  road wheels , instead of the T-34 type spider-web road wheel that you show in your 3-D renderings. It is more common,especially for later T-54's The spider-web road wheels were replaced with these roadwheels starting around 1954
« Last Edit: August 03, 2020, 09:54:53 pm by H0ffmn »

ripley

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2020, 11:32:04 pm »
IRC , they call those "starfish " wheels . Maybe Rubicon can include both sets in the kit , then I can use them to up grade a T-34/85 to a Middle Eastern or African 1980s version . Oh the kit bash possibilities

Rubicon Models

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2020, 11:33:05 pm »
Please use these type of road wheels, instead of the T-34 type spider-web road wheel that you show in your 3-D renderings. It is more common, especially for later T-54's The spider-web road wheels were replaced with these roadwheels starting around 1954

The renders above are T-54-1 and T-54-2 and they were still using the old-style road wheels.  The type you showed are for the very late production batch for T-54B, we are still working on those variants.  Will see how things go!
« Last Edit: August 03, 2020, 11:40:06 pm by Rubicon Models »

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2020, 01:49:10 am »
Is the top vehicle fitted with a machine gun on the track guard?


They are going to need matching in period infantry.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2020, 01:56:48 am by ultravanillasmurf »

ripley

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #7 on: August 04, 2020, 06:46:42 am »
Yup , Ivan loves his MGs . Here's a Trumpeter  model of the JS - 7 prototype ( 1948 ) . MGs on each hull side firing forward , two on turret  firing to the rear , a 14.5mm AA gun , and IRC a 12.7 and 7.62 with the main 130mm gun

The Chieftain did a walk around video of this beast at the Kabinka Tank  Museum.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2020, 06:50:06 am by ripley »

Jaeger

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #8 on: August 04, 2020, 07:22:22 am »
Put a T-34/85 turret on the chassis and you have a T-44.
This is a dandy addition to the Rubicon Models stable of vehicles.  Besides Vietnam the Middle East and Africa conflicts are now in play. 
Excellent detail and build options.

spad

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2020, 12:55:23 pm »
This series of kits is going to cost me a fortune, especially if all the different wheel types are released. Going to be a black year for my bank balance if even half the kits announced turn up. Centurion, 25pdr,  Quad tractor, Panzer III etc. Love the expansion into early post war, thank you Rubicon.

Model Hunter

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Re: New Project for August 2020 - Soviet T-54 Series MBT 200803
« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2020, 08:03:16 am »
This is the kit I have been waiting for and can't wait to purchase multiple kits to cover the 1960's to now with this iconic AFV.  Well done Rubicon Models!!

Rubicon Models

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Re: Soviet T-54/T-55 Series MBT 210331
« Reply #11 on: March 31, 2021, 01:22:55 pm »
It had been over 6 months with any updates on the T-54 as we had spent a lot of time on other more "urgent" projects... and now, we are back!

The T-54 and T-55 might look identical to your eyes, but they are actually two different vehicles with many minor physical differences... both are killing machines!






Our current plan is to produce two plastic box sets - one for T-54 and the other for T-55.

For the T-54, we will skip covering the T-54-1 because there are just too many loose parts that are not "common" to other variants.

For the T-55 we will probably split the project into 2 products and will focus on the T-55 and T-55A Early Production box first.

What do you think?



Enjoy!
;)

emmanuel

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Re: Soviet T-54/T-55 Series MBT 210331
« Reply #12 on: March 31, 2021, 03:16:03 pm »
I think you are right to have two different boxes for the two different kits. IMO the T55 late is a must have in particulary if you do make the T55 upgrade versions like T55 AM aM2b :





« Last Edit: March 31, 2021, 06:26:37 pm by emmanuel »

Jaeger

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Re: Soviet T-54/T-55 Series MBT 210331
« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2021, 11:14:00 am »
I want a T-44 turret for the T-54.

Rubicon Models

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NEW PROJECT - T-55 & T-55A (early production) Drawings 210422
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2021, 12:06:07 pm »
Even though we had finished the T-54 MBT project late last year, it was put on hold for mould making.  This is because we need to finish its successor, the T-55, drawings so that common parts on both projects can share a single sprue to save cost.  After a long wait, we are presenting you with the initial T-55 MBT drawings...

































Enjoy!
;)