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T-54
It is estimated that some 50,000 examples of the T-54 and similar T-55 systems have been produced.
By Staff Writer
The T-54 series of Soviet main battle tanks came about with development after World War 2, ending with the system becoming operationally available by 1949. It can be said that no other Cold War or post-Cold War tank has seen as many production models or combat usage as has the T-54 and the similar T-55 series of tanks. Despite its heavy use by armies worldwide - many to this day fielding the system as a frontline unit - the T-54 has had its fair share of engine and transmission issues which have plagued the type since the beginning.
The T-54 is an identifiable brand of Soviet tank design, featuring a rounded cast turret mounting a 100mm main gun. Five road wheels adorn either track side and the large .50 caliber anti-aircraft gun at the loader's hatch is noticeable. A very fundamental tank design, a student of the Second World War can see definite similarities between the influence of late war systems apparent in this post-war design.
Power is derived from a V-12 diesel engine mounted at rear of the all-welded hull. The engine also serves a dual purpose in that diesel fuel is injected into the exhaust for a self-created smokescreen. As such, smoke grenade dischargers are not a standard component of the T-54 design. The T-54 tank is crewed by four personnel and features a driver at center front, whom also controls a bow-mounted 7.62mm fixed machine gun (another is a coaxial mount on the turret, controlled by the gunner). The commander, gunner and loader are situated in the turret with the former group at left and the latter at right. The T-54 has access to a variety of munitions to select from and many are of the standard modern variety. Up to 34 projectiles are carried in the turret and the D-10 main gun can engage and defeat targets some 1,000 yards away though limited downward traverse is a noted deficiency.
As one might assume, such a numerous system has produced an equally numerous amount of variants that include the standard conversions such as bridgelayer, armored recovery vehicle and command vehicles - all utilizing the base T-54 chassis. Additionally, the basic T-54 has been upgraded with various modifications that include gun stabilizers on both of the firing axis, infra-red nightvision capability, increased ammunition storage capability and deep fording equipment.
To this day, the T-54 is fielded en mass, having seen active combat in a variety of environments, especially with former Soviet allied nations and states. China produced their own version of the T-54 known as the Type 59. Though having the pedigree of the famous T-34 tank of World War 2, the T-54 is often seen as inferior to its contemporary counterparts in the West. In any case, the system will probably still maintain a battlefield presence for some time to come, thanks in large part to overwhelming production figures and modernization programs instituted by a variety of its owners over the years.
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Last Updated: 1/25/2009
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| Specifications for the T-54 |
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| Variants |
T-54 - Base Series Designation and initial production model; models differ somewhat from early to late through turret redesign and slight modifications; differentiating changes made through specialized designations as in T-54 (1949), T-54 (1951) and T-54 (1953).
T-54A - Fitted with 100mm main gun with fume extractor, deep water equipment and gun stabilizer on vertical plane.
T-54AK - Command Tank
T-54M - T-54 models upgraded to T-55 standard.
T-54B - Fitted with infra-red night vision equipment; two axis stabilization.
T-54C - Some sans AA gun; later retrofitted.
T-55M - Sans loader's cupola; gun stabilizer; increased ammunition capacity; 580hp engine.
T-54K - Command Vehicle
T-54BK - Command Vehicle
T-54MK - Command Vehicle
T-54 ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle utilizing T-54 chassis.
T-54 AVLB - Bridge Layer Variant utilizing T-54 chassis.
T-54 IMR - Combat Engineer Vehicle utilizing T-54 chassis.
Type 59 - Chinese Production Model Designation.
TI-67 - Israeli Conversion Model fitted with 105mm main gun; improved fire control system.
T-54AD - Polish Designation of T-54AK Command Tank.
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