T-55LD by Luke Pitt (Tamiya 1/35)

T-55LD "Operation Quartz"

by Luke Pitt

T-55LD

Tamiya's 1/35 scale T-55A is available online from Squadron.com

Introduction

The Model represents a T-55LD operating in the Rhodesian Army one-month before the abortive “Operation Quartz”. Follow this link to read an article about Operation Quartz.

It sports the South African “anti-infra red” scheme of earth and green. The model was weathered lightly as it had only just been re-painted

Construction

Hull Modifications

This model started out life as Tamiya's 1/35 scale T-55A. As I wanted my model to represent a Polish –Built LD a number of modifications to the hull were required. These included:

engine flaps fabricated from 10 thou plastic card
front hub of road wheel enlarged

Other improvements to the hull include

New track fender from 10 thou plastic card (scale thickness)
Track fender “Stiffeners” added to underneath of fender 2 each side
Front track guards thinned to wafer thickness (scale thickness)
Scratched mud scraper added to rear of the hull
Road wheels filled (indented seems on kit incorrect)
Fuel cells on right fender improved (fins filed down to scale thickness and grab handles added from thin wire
Fuel cell plumbing added to cells and attachment points added
Rear Fuel cells modified and improved att points added and improved (note left hand one has the lid open)
Modified and improved Snorkel (many small scratch built and details added to improve detail
Log attached by chains as per Polish practice
Scratch built headlight guard fitted and light att to it (as opposed to the hull as per ref shots)
After market wire rope added
WW2 Productions resin after-market tracks added

Turret Modifications and Improvements

Turret extractor added to right hand side of turret as per polish built examples
Detailed AA machine gun ( many parts improved and added )
Detailed and improved search light
Fine molds after market barrel added
Thinned and improved turret machine gun opening machine gun added

Thinned and reconfigured main gun viewing slot
Partial turret interior added
Commander's turret hatch detailed and improved ( note opened view port
Main gun mantlet cover made out of Milliput
Turret Grip handles thinned and improved
Camouflage cover and belts added to turret as per reef

Painting

The model was painted and weathered with Tamyia Acrylics.

It was only weathered a little as it had only been painted again (in real life) some 4 months before I have chosen to depict as it appeared on exercise some weeks before operation Quartz.