Just got Tamiya T-55a,and have a few questions

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hi all!
Just scored Tamiya’s new T-55a today.I need some opinions on the following:
Colors.Normaly I use model master enamel #1710,Dark green for wwII soviet armor.I woud like to know what you recommend.Keep in mind that due to lack of good hobby shops in my area I have the following brands available:Tamiya acrylic,Model master ENAMEL(not acrylic,but solvent based),and Revell AG(germany) enamel.I need recommendations for the soviet,polish, a check variants.
Treads:Will Fruilmodel #atl001 fit to this kit?Need to know before I order.I find Fruilmodel MUCH easier to work with than Modellkasten.
Many thanks …
Chris

2

Hi Chris.
ATL-01 is the model # for Friul’s T-55 trax, and they are indeed fine. I’m also builing another with Friul’s ATL-11 trax (T-72 style, as seen on later T-55s).

As far as colors go, I believe any dark green/olive you can mix would be just fine for the Soviet Bloc vehicles you mentioned. Most ref pix I see seem to be quite dark; much darker than the vehicle depicted on the Tamiya box art.

I’ve always heard that you can’t really make a mistake when painting a Soviet vehicle!

3

Thanks J,
So they should without a problem?
C.

4

Hi, Chris.

Oh, yeah, they fit perfectly.
Tamiya actually boxes their T-55s with the Friul ATL-01 trax now, in a special set. That’s where I got mine!

5

Thanks again J!
I’ll order a set.That kit is a beauty!
C.

6

It is a nice kit, eh?
I got two of 'em!

You said you were going to do yours as a Soviet, Polish, or Czech version.
I’m going to do one as a May Day parade version, and the other…well, haven’t decided yet.

Do you have any ref pix for the May Day paint scheme? I floated a post asking that Q a while ago, and got some good responses, but still couldn’t find any clear pix from the sides or rear.

7

Sorry J,I don’t have any reference pics for a mayday parade t-55.There should be plenty around though.I’m thinking of doing mine either soviet or czeck.Perhaps with “Prague Spring”(1968 revolt) markings.
C.

8

O.K.J…
One more VERY important question…
How many tread links per side?
C.

9

What?? Tamiya’s boxing them with the Friul’s?? I haven’t seen that one unless mine has it, I haven’t opened it yet, or is that a Japan only issue?? C’mon Hulk spill it [:D]

Eric

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Eric, I bought the kit at the Shizuoka Hobby Show this past May, and it was a special event-only packaging. Now, however, it’s supposedly a regular item, although I’ve only seen them at Tamiya World so far. And at about 10 bux US less than what I paid at the show!!! Those chiselers…Don’t know about overseas releases. Tamiya will be selling a T-55 with the Friul trax as a built-up in their Master Work Series.

Chris, I haven’t built 'em yet, so I don’t know how many links. No indication in the Friul instructions! I’ll probably just use the Tamiya trax as a rough guide, and then just add a link at a time till I get the right amount of Soviet Sag.

11

Awww man I bought the T-55, figures they would do that to me…lol oh well hello Greatmodels.com