Hobby Master HG3303 | Iraq T-55 5th Mechanized Division 26th Armored Brigade, Gulf War, 1991

General Background:

The T-55 is a very mobile chassis with a low profile and with external fuel tanks has
great endurance. All this is topped off with a high-velocity gun with 43 rounds available.
However the low profile means cramped crew compartment and a slow rate of fire for the
gun. The external fuel tanks make the unit vulnerable and the armor is thin compared to
western standards. The T-54/55 is the most produced tank in history and has served
with over 40 countries. It is the AK47 of tanks, inexpensive and everyone has one.

The Tank:

On August 2 1990 as part of the 4th largest military in the world the Iraqi 5th Mechanized
Division with approximately 200 T-55As invaded Kuwait. On January 29 1991 as part of
a larger group the 5th MD attacked Coalition Forces and captured the Saudi town of Al-
Khafji. After 2 days the Iraqi forces were driven back to Kuwait and on February 26 1991
began a retreat to Iraq. When it was over Iraq’s forces were diminished from 70 army
divisions to 23 with the loss of over 400 aircraft.

T-55A Specifications

Crew
4

Weights
Weight: 36.6 tons   (33203 kg)
Ground pressure: 12.66 lb/in sq.    (0.89 kg/cm sq.)

Dimensions
Length: 29.5 ft (9.0 m) with gun – 21.1 ft    (6.45 m) without gun
Width: 11.8 ft    (3.60 m)
Height: 7.6 ft    (2.32 m)

Powerplant
Model V-55 diesel, 520 hp (390 kW), 12cylinder, 38.88 liter water cooled
Power/weight ratio: 14 hp/tonne

Performance
Operational range: 248.5/310.7 mi   (400/500 km) – with drop tanks 372.8 mi  (600 km)
Maximum road speed: 31.06 mph   (50 km/h)
Maximum off-road speed: 21.75 mph   (35 km/h)
Average cross-country speed: 15.5 mph   (25 km/h)
Fording depth:
Normal – 4.6 ft   (1.4 m)
With snorkel – 18 ft   (5.5 m)

Armament
Armour: 6.69/7.99 in   (170/203 mm)
Gun: 3.94 in   (100 mm) rifled gun, D-10T2S
Auxiliary armament: .3 in   (7.62 mm) (7.62 X 54R) Machine Gun SGM-T/PKT
Mounted armament: .5 in   (12.7 mm) (12.7 X 108R) AA MG DShKM