TAMIYA T-55 TWEAK LIST ….

continued

Cont. Steps 4 to 9: UPPER HULL

FRONT AREA

Headlamp and distance marker electrical lines to add from plastic rod or
wire, 0.7 and 0.5 .This eminates from the hull top into a bracket that needs to
be constructed from plastic strip and attched with 2 bolts. The narrower
gauge cable then runs from this bracket down to the distance marker.
Drivers Periscope washer fluid reservoir needs to be added to the sidewall
next to the drivers hatch along with pipework etc. These can be found in
Blast update set or easily constructed from plastic stock.
Note position how pipes end near periscopes.
Note also attachment block for driver’s IR Periscope which must be
scratchbuilt.In the T-55A & T-55AM it was different and more sloped. The
earlier version is present in T-55s, T-55Ms and late T-55AMs.

T55M
LATE T55AM

LATE T55AM
LATE T 55AM

T-55A
T-55A

T-55A
The front fender Torsion bars need replacing using 0.7 brass rod, first
remove the moulded on detail. Aber have a template on the etch set for
these. The bracket that holds the locking pin to hold the fenders up is
quite complex to make and best to use the etch one from Aber. The small
triangular bracket with the hole in it welded to the front fender tops is
easily made but again it is supplied in the etch set.
The kit provides the frontmarker lights on a single double stepped bracket.
Photographic evidence seems to indicate that this was not a feature on
Russian made T-55s. The Russian version shows the two front lights on each
side on separate brackets. These may be scratchbuilt or etch sets may
provide them. Take note of the necessary wiring. The kit rear lights come
with the cable but the bracket is simplistic.

Czech T-55
Glacis plate front tow hooks[kit parts A-26] replaced with ones from
Dragon T-34 or the new Tamiya JS-2 Kit and set 1mm further up.
Small bracket fitted to the center of the glacis plate is part of the plough
attachments and can be made from 0.5x3.2 Evergreen strip.
Headlamp cage [kit part c-33 and c-35] may be replaced with 0.12 brass rod
[a former was supplied with the dc models set] will see if i can have this part
copied. Notice that head lights are not connected to the hull but to the side
of the cage. Wires enter from below or the side. The kit provides different
versions of lights – Russian & non-Russian. Select parts A7, C50 & A38.
Splash boardprovided is good but brackets may be replaced if desired. Late
T-55s had a metal splashboard with a groove throughout.
If you wish to keep the driver’s hatch open note the way it rises and also
note the details on the periscopes in closed position.
Hull spare tracks brackets need to be scratchbuilt especially if tracks are to
be left off. The early tracks brackets vary from RMSH tracks brackets.
Do not forget to drill holes in spare tracks.