Ok my Stug is giving me a headache so i am putting it on the back burner for now . Figure it’s best to do that then to try to finish it and have it come out bad .
So i am going to work on this idea i have . Going to build a T-55 country Iraq . I have a few questios while i wait for some extra parts to arrive in the mail . Got the kit off Ebay cheap so i spent a little extra on some AM parts . OK first question is this . Did Iraq use the T-55 during the Iraq/Iran conflict ? I was thinking maybe the T-62 would be around then . My thinking for some reason other then i did not see the T-55 kit til after Tamiya’s T-62 kit . I would think T-55 then T-62 . What type of markings would be on the tank ? Anyone know what company sells a decal set for Iraq T-55 ? What color did Iraq use for the T-55 ? What Tamiya mix can i use to get close to this color ? From photos i see its like a Dark Yellow .
Parts List
Tamiya T-55
Eduard PE Set
Master Club Tracks
Thanks for any help you may provide for this build .[party]
Yes, Iraq used mainly T54 and T55 tanks (and their Chinese copies, type 59s & 69s) up through the US invasion in '03. They still have quite a few today for th enew Iraqi Army as well. Only the “elite” Republican Guard units had T72s. There was no standard color. They varried from a light sand to a dark sandy-gray color. I don’t know of any AM decals for them. They had very few, basic markings. Mainly some numbers in arabic on them and maybe a unit symbol. You can see some of the markings below.
I think as HA says Iraqi T-55s would be quite haphazard with regards to colour, insignia etc. I re-painted an old T-62 in Syrian colours (dark yellow and green) and then just hand painted some arabic numerals.
Consider doing a knocked out version…that way you might not need that useless Sprue D!![;)]…only joking
I found two possible sets on Ebay…Pre Size Model Specialties #1121 Arabic Tank Numbers. These are dry erase markings. Tamiya used to sell #66518 Gulf War Operations Decal Sheet which includes a section of Arabic numerals. Verlinden has a set #288, also dry erase, for the T-34/85 which has a small section of Arabic numerals and some unit plates. You could find a set of Arab numbers online, print them, and make masks out of them. I believe the Squadron book Ground War Desert Storm had some photos, though the Concord books would probably be a better value. Most Arab armor is very drab in terms of markings, sometimes just carrying the unit symbols on the front hull. If you don’t want out of the box builds, there are some AEF Designs aftermarket conversion sets: #KM-23 is an early, unmodified T-62; #KM-17 has a modified early turret with a T-55 cupola for the DShK machine gun, etc. You may want to get an AM turret, as that is the Tamiya’s main failing: Verlinden made one, and so did AEF, possibly Chesapeake Model Designs as well.
