|
|
Type 59
The Type 59 was nothing more than a Chinese copy of the Soviet T-54 main battle tank.
By Staff Writer
The NORINCO-produced Type 59 was actually based on the purchase and subsequent local licensed production of the Soviet T-54 main battle tank (just redesignated as the Type 59 in Chinese service). The system, at least externally, was identical to the Soviet-era design though the inner workings were customized to Chinese specifications.
The Type 59 was fielded with a 100mm main gun with later models being seen with a laser rangefinder mounted atop the gun. Both commander and loader were given cupola positions with the loader operating the heavy caliber 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun mounted in the turret. The commander was also given a smaller caliber 7.62mm machine gun for anti-personnel use. Still another 7.62mm machine gun was mounted in a fixed forward coaxial position, this one operated by the gunner. The driver sat front left and some ready-to-use ammunition was sported to his right. Smoke could be generated by introducing raw diesel fuel into the exhaust, thusly no smoke grenades are mounted.
The Type 59 chassis produced a series of variants, showing off the versatility of the base system. Variants included improved Type 59 models, armored recovery vehicles and models featuring explosive reactive armor for added crew protection. The system has seen extensive export service to many countries in the Middle East and the periphery.
History text ©2003-2009 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved •
No Reproduction Without Permission • Corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com
Last Updated: 11/18/2009
|
| |
|
|
| Specifications for the Type 59 |
|
|
| Special Armored Vehicles Collections |
|
|
| Recent Armored Vehicle Additions |
|
| Contacting MilitaryFactory.com |
| We can only get better if you tell us how. You can contact MilitaryFactory.com at MilitaryFactory at gmail dot com (replace "at" with "@" and "dot with ".") with any questions, comments or corrections. We also accept related military imagery that you approve for us to use on our website. Keep in mind, however, that due to volume, we may not directly respond to your inquiry. Please add us to your list of non-blocked recipients! |
|
|
Armored Vehicle Quick Profile |
Image Courtesy of the US Department of Defense.
|
 |
 |
| 1959 |
Designation: Type 59
Classification Type: Main Battle Tank
Contractor: NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) - China
Country of Origin: China
Number Built: Not Available |
|
|
Operators: China, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Tanzania, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
|
|
|
|
| Variants |
Type 59 - Original production model of Soviet T-54 MBT. Also available in 105mm main gun upgrade.
T-72Z / Safir 74 - Iranian variant
Type 59 - Air defense vehicle with twin-35mm guns.
Type 59-I - Late production model designation; laser-range finder; revised fire control system.
Type 59-II - Upgunned 105mm main gun variant; 58hp diesel engine; two-axis gun stabilization.
Type 59 ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle
|
|
|
Dimensions:
