Hooben T-55A Build

[Martin2556]

The sight must be covered with glass.

Thanks for the information & photos Pavel,
I wasn’t sure if when the tank was new, that the sight glass was always fitted or not.
I’ve seen photos of T-55’s some with the sight glass fitted & some without.

[Pavel]

Those rare photos without glass are an anomaly!
The tank was made for war in contaminated areas and was practically sealed, even the front machine gun was removed from its socket and it was closed from the inside, there was ventilation inside the tank through anti-radiation filters.
Therefore, the glass being removed is a violation and someone will pay for it...
A sealing rubber was placed under the glass and it was screwed with wing nuts.

[ColemanCollector]

No rest for the wicked, Martin. You now get to make 6 teeny-tiny wingnuts!

Mike.

[Pavel]

The wing nuts were on sale.
But someone made them themselves...

[Martin2556]

Those rare photos without glass are an anomaly!
The tank was made for war in contaminated areas and was practically sealed, even the front machine gun was removed from its socket and it was closed from the inside, there was ventilation inside the tank through anti-radiation filters.
Therefore, the glass being removed is a violation and someone will pay for it...
A sealing rubber was placed under the glass and it was screwed with wing nuts.

Thanks for the clarification Pavel, very informative.

[Martin2556]

Thanks Mike & Pavel, I do have some Schumo wing nuts that will do the job.

[Timbo68]

As a full member of the Hooben T-55 survivors club I have to say that this is amazing. In my ignorance, I stuck the vent on the top of my turret, thus making it a T-54 - apparently!

[Martin2556]

Yes Timbo68,
T-54 or T-55

Apparently the turret ventilator on the T-54 was deleted on the T-55 as in wasn’t compatible with the NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protection system.

So also making mine a T-54 as it has the turret ventilator fitted.

It’s only held on with double sided tape so easily removed & if removed it would then make it a T-55.

Apparently as I understand the only external difference between the T54 & T55 is the turret ventilator, but I could be wrong.

[Pavel]

The most characteristic feature of the T-54 is the ventilation "mushroom" on the turret in front of the loader's hatch, which the T-55 does not have.

https://dzen.ru/a/YDAslS3FeVY2noEn

[Martin2556]

The most characteristic feature of the T-54 is the ventilation "mushroom" on the turret in front of the loader's hatch, which the T-55 does not have.

https://dzen.ru/a/YDAslS3FeVY2noEn

Thanks Pavel for your clarification