Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series
HG3312 - T-54B MBT
PAVN 202nd Armored Brigade
Saigon, April 1975
Authentic Detailing
Pre-Painted by
professionals
Accurate paint colors
Markings Tampo (pad)
applied
Fully Assembled
Die-Cast Model
True to Scale (1:72)
Weathering and insignias
Turret turns
Metal turret and main gun
Realistic tracks
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By 1946 development of the T-54 began as a replacement for the T-34 MBT and three
years later entered service. There have been countless revision and upgrades such as
the T-54B (Ob'yekt 137G2) that was designed in 1955 and entered service in 1957. It
was equipped with a new 100 mm main that had a 2-plane stabilizer and was produced
until 1957. Just months before production ceased the T-54B were equipped with an
infrared searchlight, a Commander’s searchlight and a new Gunner’s sight. To go along
with the 100 mm main gun new ammunition was developed that increased the
penetrating performance. The T-54/55 had over 50,000 units produced and is
considered obsolete by the world powers but is still in service in many third world
countries.




Throughout the French Indochina War from 1946 – 1954 the Vietnam People’s Army
was referred to as Viet Minh but during the Vietnam War from 1959 – 1975 the army
was referred to as the North Vietnam Army or PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam) Quân
Đội Nhân Dân Việt Nam. The PAVN was heavily supplied and backed by the Soviet
Union. Among the many initial vehicles were theT-54 MBT. The first PAVN tank unit was
the 202nd Armored Regiment that was created on October 5, 1959. The unit was
assigned the number 202 because that is the number of members attended training in
the Soviet Union and China. The 202nd was the first Armored Regiment brought up to
brigade strength. In October 1973 the Brigade was attached to the 1st Army Corps. By
mid-April 1975 the 1st Army was deployed around Saigon. The final push was made for
Saigon before the heavy rain season began. It was a T-54 that was the first to break
through the South Vietnamese presidential palace gates.



Specifications T-54

Crew – 4

Dimensions
Length – 29.53 ft   (9.00 m)
Width – 10.73 ft   (3.27 m)
Height – 7.87 ft   (2.4 m)

Weight – 79,366 lb   (36,000 kg)

Performance
Power - (1) V-12 diesel engine 520 hp
Speed – 30 mph   (48km/h)
Range – 249 miles   (400 km)


Armament
(1) 100 mm D-10 rifled main gun   (34 rounds of ammunition)
(1) 12.7 mm DShKM anti-aircraft machine gun   (500 rounds of ammunition)
(1) 7.62 mm SGMT coaxial machine gun   (3,000 rounds of ammunition shared between
2 guns)
(1) 7.62 mm Bow-mounted machine gun

T-54B - First model to have infra-red night vision equipment.