T-54/T-55 Main Battle Tank

The T-54/T-55 series of Main Battle Tanks traces its lineage directly to the legendary T-34 Medium Tank, often referred to as the Soviet Union's armored hero. The T-34 underwent transformations, leading to the T-44 medium tank, which featured a redesigned engine, a torsion bar suspension, a larger frame, and a low-profile, dome-shaped turret.

Due to significant design flaws, the T-44 saw limited production. Efforts then shifted to developing a more robust medium tank, culminating in the debut of the T-54 prototype in 1946.

The T-54 utilized the T-44 chassis and was armed with a 100mm Model 1944 main gun. Its turret was crafted using a single-piece casting method, with the top welded on—a technique refined during the T-34's production. Initial versions relied on manual gun-laying systems, which were eventually replaced by powered systems in later models.

The T-54 was equipped with two 7.62mm machine guns, positioned in the hull and turret respectively. An additional machine gun was installed on the turret at the loader's cupola.

The T-54/T-55 was capable of firing a diverse array of ammunition, such as armor-piercing-tracer, high-explosive, armor-piercing capped-tracer, high-explosive fragmentation, fin-stabilized high-explosive, and high-velocity armor-piercing discarding sabot-tracer.

Similar to the T-44, the T-54 featured a torsion bar suspension system. Its AV-12 diesel engine, mounted transversely, powered the rear sprockets and delivered 520 horsepower.

Each side of the T-54 had five rubber-tired road wheels. The track ran directly over the top of these wheels on its return path, eliminating the need for return wheels.

A key identifying feature of the T-54/T-55 series is the noticeable gap between the first and second road wheels. The T-54 marked a milestone as the first Soviet tank capable of fully submerged underwater operations, enabling it to traverse rivers up to 18 feet deep with the aid of a snorkel.

Introduced in 1959 or 1960, the T-55 model was an enhanced version of the T-54. It included a more powerful V-12 diesel engine (580 horsepower), a rotating turret floor, the removal of the loader's cupola, and an upgraded transmission.

In the T-55A variant, the 12.7mm antiaircraft turret machine gun and the 7.62mm bow-mounted machine gun were removed to create additional space for storing main-gun ammunition.

The T-55A was equipped with an antiradiation lining, though neither the T-54 nor the T-55 provided comprehensive nuclear-biological-chemical warfare protection for its crew.

The T-54 and T-55 tanks were manufactured in the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and the People's Republic of China, with production estimates ranging between 42,000 and 57,000 units.

The T-55 remains extensively utilized by Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces, with estimates suggesting between 31,000 and 39,000 units are still in service. This series has also been employed by approximately 47 other nations, spanning both sides of the Iron Curtain.

The enduring popularity of the T-54/T-55 series has led to the development of numerous modernization kits available worldwide.

For detailed specifications of the T-54/T-55 Main Battle Tank, refer to the next page.

To explore more about historical tanks, take a look at:

T-54/T-55 Main Battle Tank Specifications

The T-54/T-55 Main Battle Tanks, renowned for their robust armor and powerful armament, continue to be favored by nations worldwide. Below are the specifications for the T-54/T-55 Main Battle Tank.

Date of service: T-54, 1949; T-55, 1959 or 1960

Country: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Type: Main Battle Tank

Dimensions: Length, 6.4 m (21 ft); width, 3.3 m (10.8 ft); height, 2.4 m (7.8 ft)

Combat weight: 36,000 kg (39.7 tons)

Engine: T-54, V-12 diesel 520 horsepower; T-55, V-12 diesel 580 horsepower

Armament: Equipped with one 100mm D-10T main gun; the T-54 includes two 7.62mm SGMT machine guns and one 12.7mm DShKm machine gun, while the T-55 features one 7.62mm SGMT machine gun

Crew: 4

Speed: T-54, 48 km/h (30 mph); T-55, 50 km/h (31 mph)

Range: 600 km (372 mi)

Obstacle/grade performance: 0.8 m (2.6 ft)

Explore more about historical tanks by checking out: