T-55AM Merida
While the T-34/85 was quite successful during World War II, combining mobility and firepower, newer German tanks at the end of the war outclassed it. The Soviet Union correctly anticipated that the Western Allies would also begin upgrading their tanks postwar, and needed a tank that could take on the British Centurion and American M26 Pershing, and for that a new tank needed a 100mm gun. The T-44, while a superb upgrade to the T-34 series, could not carry one, and so Soviet tank designers went back to the drawing board. The result was the T-54/55 series.
The T-55 (the T-54 was broadly similar, and many T-54s were upgraded to T-55 standard) was a wider design with a more robust engine, which increased its armor protection over the T-34 while maintaining comparable speed. Though initially the T-54 used a T-34-style oblong turret, this was soon discarded for a circular turret with no "shot traps," with the desired 100mm antitank gun. The T-54 variants were superseded on the production line by the T-55, which externally was similar, but upgraded to better survive a nuclear war environment, with increased ammunition, better storage, and a higher rate of fire. So impressed was the Red Army with the T-55 that it cancelled further production of the IS-3 heavy tank, as the T-55 could fulfill both the heavy and medium tank roles--a true main battle tank.
The T-55 series would go on to become the most produced tank in history, with as many as 100,000 being produced (if Chinese Type 69 production is included). T-55s would be used in every Cold War conflict from the late 1950s, with varying degrees of success. Its high mobility, good armor protection, and powerful gun led to the West adopting the 105mm tank cannon as standard. Its combat record was mixed, scoring as many successes as failures. Most of the T-55's combat history was in the Arab-Israeli Wars, where many were destroyed by Israeli Centurions and M60 Pattons, but these were also due to poor tactics by the Arab nations. While easy to operate, they were cramped and miserable, and so hot in the desert that some crews suffered heatstroke. By 1970, the T-55 was becoming obsolete, though with their sheer numbers, upgrade programs were undertaken, and thousands are still in service worldwide.
Barely recognizable as a T-55, this T-55AM Merida is a Polish upgrade of the venerable T-55, to the point that it is practically a new tank. The upgrade includes a bigger, more fuel efficient engine, upgraded fire control and night sights, smoke dischargers and laser warning system, and additional armor on the forward hull and turret. Though it retains the T-55's older 100mm main gun, it can use upgraded ammunition. This at least gave the T-55 a fighting chance against 1980s-era NATO tanks. The Polish Army continued to use the T-55AM after the Cold War, and only began retiring them around 2010, replaced by M1 Abrams and Leopard 2s.
Though it was initially delivered in a dilapidated state, Battlefield Vegas fully restored this T-55AM to its appearance while serving in the Polish Army. This one stumped me for awhile as to just what it was!
T-55AM Merida
While the T-34/85 was quite successful during World War II, combining mobility and firepower, newer German tanks at the end of the war outclassed it. The Soviet Union correctly anticipated that the Western Allies would also begin upgrading their tanks postwar, and needed a tank that could take on the British Centurion and American M26 Pershing, and for that a new tank needed a 100mm gun. The T-44, while a superb upgrade to the T-34 series, could not carry one, and so Soviet tank designers went back to the drawing board. The result was the T-54/55 series.
The T-55 (the T-54 was broadly similar, and many T-54s were upgraded to T-55 standard) was a wider design with a more robust engine, which increased its armor protection over the T-34 while maintaining comparable speed. Though initially the T-54 used a T-34-style oblong turret, this was soon discarded for a circular turret with no "shot traps," with the desired 100mm antitank gun. The T-54 variants were superseded on the production line by the T-55, which externally was similar, but upgraded to better survive a nuclear war environment, with increased ammunition, better storage, and a higher rate of fire. So impressed was the Red Army with the T-55 that it cancelled further production of the IS-3 heavy tank, as the T-55 could fulfill both the heavy and medium tank roles--a true main battle tank.
The T-55 series would go on to become the most produced tank in history, with as many as 100,000 being produced (if Chinese Type 69 production is included). T-55s would be used in every Cold War conflict from the late 1950s, with varying degrees of success. Its high mobility, good armor protection, and powerful gun led to the West adopting the 105mm tank cannon as standard. Its combat record was mixed, scoring as many successes as failures. Most of the T-55's combat history was in the Arab-Israeli Wars, where many were destroyed by Israeli Centurions and M60 Pattons, but these were also due to poor tactics by the Arab nations. While easy to operate, they were cramped and miserable, and so hot in the desert that some crews suffered heatstroke. By 1970, the T-55 was becoming obsolete, though with their sheer numbers, upgrade programs were undertaken, and thousands are still in service worldwide.
Barely recognizable as a T-55, this T-55AM Merida is a Polish upgrade of the venerable T-55, to the point that it is practically a new tank. The upgrade includes a bigger, more fuel efficient engine, upgraded fire control and night sights, smoke dischargers and laser warning system, and additional armor on the forward hull and turret. Though it retains the T-55's older 100mm main gun, it can use upgraded ammunition. This at least gave the T-55 a fighting chance against 1980s-era NATO tanks. The Polish Army continued to use the T-55AM after the Cold War, and only began retiring them around 2010, replaced by M1 Abrams and Leopard 2s.
Though it was initially delivered in a dilapidated state, Battlefield Vegas fully restored this T-55AM to its appearance while serving in the Polish Army. This one stumped me for awhile as to just what it was!