Fact File: The T-54/55 in WW III

[Matt Wiser]

The most commonly-seen Soviet armor in the war, and still in use in many war zones today:


The T-54/55 Tank Family in World War III


The Soviet T-54 and T-55 family of tanks happen to be the most widely produced tanks in the world. First appearing in prototype form in March, 1945 (T-54), the tanks have been produced in such numbers, and by a number of manufacturers in several countries, that the tanks are still in service today, nearly seventy years after the first T-54 prototype appeared. The T-54/55 family was produced not just in the USSR, but in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania (as the TR-580 family), China (Type 59 and Type 69 variants), and in such numbers, that the estimated production numbers range from 80,000 to 100,000,and with upgrade programs available from a number of contractors, this tank family has not seen its last combat.


T-54: Initial production version. Though produced in small numbers from 1946, changes to the tank meant that initial mass production did not occur until 1949. 100-mm main gun, V-12 500-hp diesel engine.

T-54A: Prototype in 1951, appeared in service 1954. Driver's night IR equipment, folding snorkel, 100-mm main gun. Produced in Poland and Czechoslovakia, and in China as the Type-59.

T-54B: Introduced into service 1955: Two-axis stabilized 100-mm gun, active night IR system for gunner, and full electric turret traverse.

T-54K: Command tank version of T-54. Two radios instead of one, and reduced main gun loadout.

T-54AK: Command version of T-54A

T-54BK: Command version of T-54B:

TO-54: Combat engineer version of T-54 with flamethrower replacing co-ax machine gun.

T-54M: Upgrade of T-54s to T-55 standard.

T-54AM: Further upgrades, including removal of bow machine gun, additional ammunition for main gun, new radios, new engine, modernized fire control. Some include KTD-2 laser rangefinder.

BTS-1/2/4: Armored Recovery Vehicle based on T-54 chassis.

MTU-1: AVLB based on T-54 chassis.

ZSU-57-2: SP AAG based on T-54 chassis; two 57-mm AA guns in an open-topped turret on modified T-54 Chassis.


T-55: The T-54 was initially considered a medium tank, with the IS series being the heavy tank in the Soviet Army's tank parks. However, the T-55 became the first real Soviet Main Battle Tank, and was designed to fight on a nuclear battlefield.

T-55: Initial production version with 100-mm main gun, no loader's 12.7mm machine gun, partial PAZ NBC system, V-12 580 Hp diesel engine.

T-55A: Main production version from 1960: Bow machine gun deleted, full PAZ NBC system, internal radiation/spall liner.

T-55AM: Appeared 1970: Position on loader's cupola and hatch for 12.7-mm DshK machine gun. Many T-55 and T-55A models retrofitted with machine gun on overhaul.

T-55M-1974: T-55 models fitted with KTD-2 laser rangefinder in box housing over main gun.

T-55K: Command versions for company, battalion, and regimental commanders based on original T-55. K-1 at company level, K-2 at battalion, and K-3 at regiment. Additional radios, navigation system, and only 37 main gun rounds.

T-55AK: Command versions of T-55A.

T-55AM1: Czech modernized version of T-55AM, first appeared 1984 in Czech, Polish, and Soviet armies. Kladivo fire-control system with laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, wind sensor, temperature and air pressure sensors; horseshoe-shaped side shields of spaced armor on both sides of turret front; upgraded engine, thermal sleeve on main gun, smoke grenade launchers. Polish version used Merida fire-control instead of Kladivo system.

T-55AM2: Soviet rebuild along Czech lines.

T-55AM2B: Same Czech upgrade as with T-55AM1, but with AT-10 Stabber ATGM capability added. Used also by the East German Army.

T-55AM2P: Polish upgrade of 2B with Merida FCS.

T-55AM2PB: Soviet upgrade with Volna FCS instead of Kladivo. Also used by the East German Army.

T-55AM2K: Upgrade of T-55K command tank with Kladivo FCS and new engine.

T-55MV: Soviet T-55 upgrade with reactive armor: few reached North America.

TO-55: Flamethrower version with co-ax MG replaced by flamethrower.


BTS series: ARVs based on T-55. BTS-3 was Soviet designation for the JVT-55 ARV produced in Czechoslovakia.

MTU-20: AVLB based on both T-54 and T-55 chassis. Bridge is 20 meters long when deployed.

MT-55: Czech AVLB based on T-55 chassis. In widespread WARPAC service as well as other Soviet-bloc clients.

BLG-60: East German/Polish AVLB with scissors bridge.


IMR-1: Combat Engineer Vehicle with 2-ton crane with attachments for bucket or pincer-type grabs for removing obstacles such as trees.


World War III Users:

USSR: Standard tank in Cat III MR and some Cat III Tank Divisions. Many issued to units that were refitting due to war losses. Also used by Army “rear-area protection” divisions. Standard MBT used by Soviet Naval Infantry. Still in service in some ex-Soviet republics, and combat both in Second Russian Civil War, and in fall of Rump USSR.

Cuba: Usual tank in tank battalion of infantry divisions, and in some Motor-Rifle Divisions. Combat during National Uprising in 2009 on both sides.

Czechoslovakia: No Czech Army T-55s served in North America, though Czech units did see action (on both sides) in the 1989 campaign.

East Germany: Issued to five East German mobilization-only divisions called to active duty to replace Cat I units deployed to North America. In combat in 1989.

Hungary: Not deployed to North America, but saw combat in Hungarian Uprising-again, on both sides.

Libya: Libyan T-55s in Mechanized Infantry Brigades deployed to North America.

Mexico: Standard MBT of Mexican Army throughout the war, and still in service in Baja War in 2010.

Nicaragua: Standard MBT of Sandinista Army during the war. No longer in service.

North Korea: Standard MBT in NK mechanized infantry units in Canada.

Poland: Standard MBT in Cat II Tank and MR Divisions. One Cat II division (10th Armored) deployed to North America. Combat in 1989 campaign.

Captured vehicles: A number of (mainly) T-55s fell into Allied hands during the war, and saw occasional use against their former owners. Some fell into guerrilla hands, usually in Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, and used during Operation PRAIRIE FIRE. Upgraded examples captured were evaluated at Fort Knox and Aberdeen Proving Ground.

[Poohbah]

And God help the crew if they got caught by infantry toting anything more butch than an M72, or by anything heavier than a Sheridan.

[Wolfman]

Or any variety of air power, for that matter.

[Bernard Woolley]

Course most of the Polish T-55s that took part in the 1989 campaign did so on our side!

[Poohbah]

Course most of the Polish T-55s that took part in the 1989 campaign did so on our side!

Didn't someone in Ostdeutsch, when captured by the Poles, make some snarky remarks about having been drafted into the Volkssturm twice? Once at 13, and the second at 57?