T-54/55 Soviet Cold War Main Battle Tank
By Robert Jackson
TankCraft #16
Softcover, 64 pages
Published by Pen & Sword, 2019
Language: English
ISBN: 978-1526741400
Dimensions: 8.5 x 11.5 x 0.2 inches
The T-54/55 traces its design heritage back to the T-44, which itself was an attempt to refine the very successful T-34. Early versions first entered limited production in 1947, a number of design refinements were implemented with the definitive version, the T-54A, entering production in 1953. Since that time the T-54/55 has been continuously refined and improved, with many updated systems being retrofitted to existing models during overhauls. Counting the Chinese Type-59/69/79 series copies, the T-54/55 is the most-produced AFV design in history with some sources claiming over 100,000 having been built in total. Many countries have operated the type over the decades and it is still in front-line service to this day, over seven decades since its introduction.
This book is aimed at the modeling community, and while no book of its size could hope to provide a comprehensive overview of the T-54/55 and all its variants, it does provide a good summary from a modeling perspective. There are eight pages of four-view color profiles which give a sampling of camouflage schemes, followed by sixteen pages showcasing four completed 1/35 scale builds. A brief history of T-54/55 kits is also included, the rest of the book is devoted to the history of the tank along with a nice selection of photographs.
If you’re looking for modeling inspiration the TankCraft book series is a good place to start, providing a short technical history of the subject along with an overview of the kits available at the time of publication. The T-54/55 is a great modeling subject with a wide variety of configurations and camouflage schemes to choose from. It is still in front-line service to this day, most notably in the Russo-Ukraine conflict where it is utilized by both sides – incredible for a tank design more than seven decades old. Some TankCraft volumes are currently available on the overstock market at substantial discounts, pick some up while you can!
Inch High Guy 