T-26 Soviet Light Infantry Tank - T-26 Decal Sheet 180818

[Rubicon Models]

The T-26 tank was a Soviet light infantry tank used during many conflicts of the 1930s and in World War II.

It was a development of the British Vickers 6-Ton tank and was one of the most successful tank designs of the 1930s until its light armour became vulnerable to newer anti-tank guns. It was produced in greater numbers than any other tank of the period, with more than 11,000 manufactured. During the 1930s, the USSR developed 53 variants of the T-26, including flame-throwing tanks, combat engineer vehicles, remotely controlled tanks, self-propelled guns, artillery tractors, and armoured carriers. Twenty-three of these were series-produced, others were experimental models.

We will try to focus on T-26 variants produced in between the Spanish Civil War and WW2.  Probably 4 to 5 different turrets, and minor alterations on the hull.

This is a T-26 M33 being used as our base design:









Enjoy!

[tyroflyer]

I like it. The chances of an early Russian army in my future is getting stronger and stronger.

[ultravanillasmurf]

That is lucky, I almost bought the Empress one.

Excellent.

[tyroflyer]

I note Pinky's question elsewhere. Resin or plastic? Hope the answer is plastic.

[Pinky]

I think it's resin.  It doesn't look like the kind of 3-D design they use for plastic kits.

[ultravanillasmurf]

I think it's resin.  It doesn't look like the kind of 3-D design they use for plastic kits.

I wonder if it relates to this?



http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=231.msg2094#msg2094

[Rubicon Models]

Studio work had been slow because we are rushing to finish all outstanding items for our Q2/17
releases.  These include box arts, manuals, decal sheets, and final amendments on the plastic
sprues.

The T-26 Model 1931 had two cylindrical turrets (with an observation slit) mounted on ball bearings;
each turret turned independently through 240°. Both turrets could provide common fire in front and
rear arcs of fire (100° each). The disadvantage of such a configuration was that not all of the tank's
firepower could be used at once on the same side.




In 1938, the T-26 was upgraded to the Model 1938 version, the cylindrical turret was replaced
with a conical turret, with the same 45mm Model 1934 gun. It had better anti-bullet resistance
but the same welded hull as the T-26 Model 1933 produced in 1935–1936.  Some T-26 Model
1938/1939, equipped with radio set, had a PTK commander's panoramic sight.



Enjoy!

[ultravanillasmurf]

Will there be a twin machine gun version?

[tyroflyer]

At least we know it's plastic which will keep my interest at a higher level than it would have been if it was resin. The more variants the better, including twin turrets.

[ultravanillasmurf]

Not actually about the T26 but might be of interest.
https://youtu.be/EVP2TPkcufs

[Pinky]

At least we know it's plastic which will keep my interest at a higher level than it woulit was resin.

How do we know it's plastic?  Did I miss something?

[Rubicon Models]

How do we know it's plastic?  Did I miss something?

If we do multiple-turrets, it had to be plastic, lol...
But progress had been very slow because of rushing our Q2/17 releases out of the door!

Plus the T-26 is a high demand kit with numerous opportunity for conversions too!
We simply cannot cover all variants...

[tyroflyer]

I think I was divining the tea leaves Pinky, or perhaps wishful thinking!

[Rubicon Models]

The T-26 Model 1933, with a new single cylindrical turret carrying one 45mm cannon L46 and one 7.62mm machine gun, became the most common T-26 variant.

The 45mm 20K tank gun was based on the Soviet 45mm anti-tank gun M1932 (19-K) and it was one of the most powerful anti-tank guns of its time. Actually, few, if any, western tanks existed with similar guns. The T-26 could carry up to three secondary DT 7.62mm machine guns in coaxial, rear, and anti-aircraft mounts. This increased firepower was intended to aid crews in defeating dedicated anti-tank teams, as the original machine gun armament had been found insufficient. The turret rear ball mounting for the additional DT tank machine gun was installed on the T-26 tanks from the end of 1935 until 1939.

The T-26 Model 1933 carried 122 rounds of 45mm ammunition, firing armour-piercing 45mm rounds with a muzzle velocity of 820 m/s (2,700 ft/s), or lower-velocity high-explosive munitions. Tanks intended for company commanders were equipped with a radio set and a handrail radio antenna on the turret (so called radio tanks). Later the hand-rail antenna was replaced with a buggy-whip antenna, because experience in the Spanish Civil War and Battle of Lake Khasan showed that the handrail antenna drew fire onto commander tanks.



Enjoy!

[ultravanillasmurf]

Nice.