Tamiya 1/35 scale T-55A Russian medium tank

Kit: No. 35257
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Tamiya, distributed by Tamiya America, 2 Orion, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-4200, 800-826-4922, www.tamiyausa.com
Price: $50
Comments: Injection-molded, 298 parts (17 vinyl, 1 string), decals
Pros: Accurate portrayal of an early T-55, well detailed, excellent fit, excellent decals
Cons: Gun will not elevate due to molded canvas mantlet cover

The T-54/55 vehicles are the most-produced series of tanks in history. Perhaps second to the AK-47, the T-55 has been the most-visible symbol of Soviet weaponry. Besides serving in every Warsaw Pact army, it has found its way into nearly every third-world country on the planet. Most recently, we have seen it in action in Afghanistan.

After struggling to build an accurate T-55 from all the previously available kits (including the original 1960s Tamiya kit), I was anxious to see Tamiya's new offering. Just looking at the parts took away any doubts; this is the ultimate T-55 kit.

Tamiya's T-55A is well-molded in dark olive plastic. Features include the choice of various turret configurations using different hatch designs, external stowage, and the optional 12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun. Also included are the large rear fuel drums, unditching beam, two kinds of wading snorkels, and a crew figure.

Following the kit instructions, I started the model by assembling the wheels and installing the suspension arms on the chassis. I was impressed with the representation of the "starfish" style wheels. The hull bottom is also neatly detailed with various hatches and suspension structures. The wheels feature vinyl grommets and can be mounted at this point or later in the assembly process to simplify painting. The tracks are nicely represented in one-piece vinyl sections. I left the wheels and tracks off at this stage.

Next, I built the hull top. The engine screens have separate frames, and vinyl screen is provided to be cut to the templates in the instructions. The multipiece hull stowage boxes are nicely detailed but fiddly to build. The driver's hatch is positionable. Separate parts are given for all of the glacis detail, which includes the deflector plate, headlight cage, mine plow attachment bolts, and control conduits. All of them went on without a problem. With the hull top completed, I attached it to the chassis. This was a snug fit.

I took special interest in how Tamiya had molded the turret, as no previous kit was accurate. The T-55's turret is asymmetrical with the left side bulged out a bit and the 100mm gun positioned several inches to the right of center. I was happy to find Tamiya had done its research, and the kit's turret was excellent.

Parts are provided for early-style commander's and loader's hatches, both with and without the antiaircraft machine gun. Additional parts are given for later versions' antiradiation collars fitted to these hatches.

The main gun does not include any elevation mechanism because a neatly molded representation of the canvas mantlet cover is featured. The gun plugs into this, locking in a horizontal position. I finished the turret by adding the U-shaped attachment hooks, all provided as separate parts!

The instructions are loaded with helpful inserts such as dimensions for cutting the provided string for the tow cable.

I finished up the model by attaching the prepainted wheels and tracks. I super glued the tracks down to the wheels to simulate the prototypical sag associated with "dead"-style track. Note that later or rebuilt T-55s featured a different track design, similar to that found on the T-72.

I painted my T-55 with Gunze Sangyo Aqueous Hobby Colors matched to the Tamiya paint colors listed in the instructions.

Excellent decals are given for five vehicles, two Soviet, two Polish, and one Czech. They went down well over semigloss undercoat.

My primary reference was Concord Publications' T-54, T-55, T-62 by Steve Zaloga. Compared to the reference, the finished models looks like the real deal.

I completed my T-55 in just 15 hours with no trouble. Except for the locked-in main gun, the kit had no vices. It was easy to build, loaded with detail, and accurate - a nice combination for modelers at every skill level. Great job, Tamiya!

- Jim Zeske