TSBX22: T-55AM Tank Company

The Soviet Union led the world in production of armoured vehicles, especially tanks, for decades. As such, even as more advanced designs like the T-64, T-72, and T-80 were rolling off of the assembly lines in large numbers, large inventories of older tanks like the T-54/T-55 were retained. These older models were typically fielded by secondary units, but even in the mid-1980s constituted at least a third of overall Soviet armoured strength – and a much higher percentage of the armoured forces of their Warsaw Pact allies.

As early as the late 1950s, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev was critical of the Soviet proclivity to maintain a large armoured force which was rapidly being rendered obsolete in the face of new anti-tank missiles being deployed around the world. Though the Soviet Military leadership disagreed with the Premier’s pessimistic assessment, they did agree that the fleet of older vehicles required upgrades to remain relevanton the battlefield.

The Soviets therefore began to look for ways to modernise their vast inventory of T-55 tanks. The ultimate version of this upgrade, conversion to which started in the early 1980s, included appliqué armour, a new fire control system, laser rangefinders, gun stabilisation, and a host of other mechanical upgrades to permit the design to retain useful combat capability for the foreseeable future. There was even the optional inclusion of the Bastion guided gun-fired missile which was compatible with the T-55 tank’s 100mm gun.

Soviet tank battalions are fairly standardised regardless of the model of tank being used. A T-55AM battalion consists of a headquarters and service platoon and three independent tank companies. Each company consists of three tank platoons of three tanks each (ten tanks per company). As the T-55AM is used by second line units, it is allocated less modern mechanised support than the Guards battalions are afforded. Regardless, these formations maintain a very potent and useful offensive capability. The gun/missile versatility of the main armament allows this venerable vehicle to serve as a credible threat to all but the most modern NATO main battle tanks.

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:

• 5x T-55AM or T-55 Tanks

These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted