T-54a

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The T-54A used by East Germany was licence built in Poland and exported to the GDR for a unit-price of 433.376 German D-Mark (253.502 Dollars). Between 1959 to 1961 the GDR bought and received a total of 148 T-54As from Poland. The T-54A was primarely armed with the 100mm D-10TG L/56 tank-cannon.

The biggest difference of the T-54A to the standard T-54 was the STP-1 “Horizont” vertical stabilizer, which stabilized the cannon and coaxial MG when driving, to reduce the up- and down movement of the gun. The stabilizer also made short-stop and fire procedures much more effective. The STP-1 however, did not stabilize the turret horizontally, meaning the T-54A had to drive in a straight line to take advantage of the system. The stabilizer had an elevation and depression speed of 6°/s.

The T-54A utilized the W-54G engine (W-54 with improved filters and G-74 alternator), aswell as a fully electric turret drive. A third, external fuel tank was also added, which increased the fuel-capacity to 810l.

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Notice the fume-extractor on the gun (reminiscent of the D-10TG) and the circular NVA marking on the turret. More pictures are appreciated, since it is hard to find actual east-German T-54A pictures.

Specifications:

Crew: 4 (driver/commander/gunner/loader)

Weight: 36T

HP/T Ratio: 14,4

Lenght: 9m (with cannon) 6,04m (without cannon)

Width: 3,27m

Height: 2,75m (with roof-mounted MG)

Engine: V12 Diesel “W-54G”

Max Speed: 50km/h (road)

Hull armor in mm (front/rear/sides/bottom): 100/46/80/20

Turret armor in mm (front/roof): 200/39

Armament: 1x 100mm D-10TG cannon

1x 7,62x54Rmm SGMT coaxial MG

1x 12,7x108mm DSchK Roof-mounted MG

Elevation: +17°/-6°

Ammunition used:

BK-12M HEAT-FS

UBR-412D APCBC

UBR-412 APHE

UBR-412B APHEBC

UOF-412 HE

Thanks a lot for reading and if you spot a mistake, or want to add something, feel free to post it down below so I can include it in the suggestion.

Cheers!

Sources:

http://www.militaertechnik-der-nva.de/

http://www.panzer-modell.de/

“Kampfpanzer der NVA” by Jörg Siegert/Helmut Hanske (Motor buch Verlag) https://www.amazon.de/Kampfpanzer-NVA-Jörg-Siegert/dp/3613032945

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