Difference between revisions of "T-55A"

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(Survivability and armour)
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=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
{{Specs-Economy}}
 
{{Specs-Economy}}
 +
 +
With a default APDS round available, the {{PAGENAME}} is somewhat viable in a downtier to assist going through the modification research. Aside from getting the survivability upgrades in the ''Parts'' and ''FPE'' modules, the ammunition unlocks in the Firepower category should also be prioritised in order to access the more potent APFSDS round and the HEAT-FS shell in the ''3BM25'' and ''3BK17M'' module respectively. The ''NVD'' module should also be prioritized in order to survive the possibility of the next ground battle being in a dark environment.
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
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|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes''':
 
'''Notes''':
 +
 
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
 
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
 
* Rack 6 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 18 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
 
* Rack 6 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 18 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
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* Good mobility
 
* Good mobility
 
* Good gun and a wide ammo choices (APDS, APFSDS, APHE, HEATFS and smoke)
 
* Good gun and a wide ammo choices (APDS, APFSDS, APHE, HEATFS and smoke)
* Roof-mounted machinegun for anti-air defence
+
* Roof-mounted machine gun for anti-air defence
 
* Has a spall liner in the turret, lacking in the T-62, affords some protection from spalling
 
* Has a spall liner in the turret, lacking in the T-62, affords some protection from spalling
 
* Safe ammo spot for 18 rounds near the driver in the fuel tanks give it some kinetic and chemical protection
 
* Safe ammo spot for 18 rounds near the driver in the fuel tanks give it some kinetic and chemical protection
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* Can easily be destroyed if penetrated through the turret, direct hits three of the four total crew members
 
* Can easily be destroyed if penetrated through the turret, direct hits three of the four total crew members
* Stock performance is quite lacklustre
+
* Stock performance is quite lacklustre  
* Paultry 100 mm front plate
+
* No rangefinder
 +
* Poor zoom distance, only 3.5 and 7 times magnification
 +
* No smoke grenade launcher
 +
* Paltry 100 mm front plate
 +
* No chemical protection
 
* Abysmally weak sides on the hull (80 mm) and worse at the back of the turret (66 mm)
 
* Abysmally weak sides on the hull (80 mm) and worse at the back of the turret (66 mm)
  
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;Skins
 
;Skins
 
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=medium_tank&vehicle=ussr_t_55a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=medium_tank&vehicle=ussr_t_55a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
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== See also ==
 
== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
 +
* [[T-54/55 (Family)]]
 +
 
 +
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
 +
* [[T-62 (Family)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
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* ''other literature.'' -->
* ''other literature.''
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 +
* [[wt:en/news/4706-development-t-55a-the-eastern-menace-en|[Devblog] T-55A - The Eastern Menace]]
  
 
{{USSR medium tanks}}
 
{{USSR medium tanks}}

Revision as of 20:28, 2 March 2021

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
ussr_t_55a.png
GarageImage T-55A.jpg
T-55A
AB RB SB
8.3 8.3 8.3
Class:
Research:135 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:380 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The T-55A is a rank VI Soviet medium tank with a battle rating of 8.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica".

After active development of nuclear weapons, the predecessor of T-55 (T-54) was tested against nuclear charges. It was evaluated that the crew could survive only at distances of over 700m, so it was decided to create a new tank that would have a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection system, or Protivoatomnaya Zashchita (PAZ). The initial designs for this tank were completed in 1956, however, that was without additional NBC protection. In 1961, the development of an NBC system began, and it was introduced in the new T-55A variant. Among other upgrades, the T-55 had an increased ammunition supply with 18 more rounds being stored in the fuel tanks.

T-55 became a replacement for Soviet heavy tanks (IS series and the T-10), something that is evident in War Thunder as well. Armour was sacrificed for better mobility and a better gun. Currently, the T-55A is one of the only vehicles at rank VI to have an APHE shell, which easily one-shots most vehicles from the sides and some from the front (notably, leopards). Unfortunately, the T-55A is relatively slow compared to other medium tanks around battle rating 8.3.

General info

Survivability and armour

ESS
Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull100 / 80 / 45
Turret200 / 160 / 66
Crew4 people
Visibility83 %
X-Ray view of the T-55A when viewed from the side. Note how packed the tank interior is of critical components, ammunition, and crew.

The T-55A has moderate frontal protection, with 100 mm plates for upper front plate (UFP) and lower front plate (LFP) placed at angles 59° and 56° respectively; effective thickness frontally comes up to ~180 mm and ~200 mm, respectively. At a perfect angle, the T-55A can bring its frontal effective thickness to ~200 mm and ~220 mm for the UFP and LFP, while having ~250 mm of protection at the angled sides. However, the additional 20 mm of armour will rarely save the tank from APFSDS, or even APDS, shells that are flying around at this rank.

As for the turret, the T-55A has slightly less protection than the T-62 and combined with a generally larger turret, it is easier for opponents to hit and penetrate the turret. The thinnest spots are right next to the cannon breech, at 200 mm, which rather slowly becomes over 300 mm when moving further away from the breech.

The T-55A's weakest area to be attacked at is the port side; or when looking directly at the T-55A, its right side. This is because three of the four crew members are neatly lined up into a row. A well placed APFSDS shot to this area through the UFP will one-shot the T-55A.

Despite this vulnerability, it will do well for the T-55A's overall survival if it does not get hit at all during its lifespan on the battlefield. Due to how packed the interior is, any penetrating shot is sure to cripple or outright destroy the tank.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB56 / 9 km/h
RB and SB51 / 8 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight36.0 t
Engine power
AB1 107 hp
RB and SB580 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB30.8 hp/t
RB and SB16.1 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 56 9 36 899 1,107 24.97 30.75
Realistic 51 8 513 580 14.25 16.11

The maximum speed that the T-55A can reach is listed as 56 km/h (AB) and 50 km/h (RB/SB). That is ~15 km/h slower than the Leopard A1A1. However, the amount of firepower that the T-55A brings to the battlefield, coupled together with the ability to withstand shots sometimes, that speed is decent. Backwards, the T-55A can go at up to -7 km/h, which won't let you back out of tricky situations often.

The T-55A cannot turn in neutral gear, which makes it difficult to manoeuvre in close-quarter encounters, which often occur in urban environments. The acceleration is good, the T-55A can get to 25 km/h from a standstill on flat, rough terrain in a few seconds, and turning is decent on flat ground.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB4 242 → 6 172 Sl icon.png
RB4 693 → 6 828 Sl icon.png
SB6 436 → 9 364 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications112 000 Rp icon.png
189 400 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 300 Ge icon.png
Crew training110 000 Sl icon.png
Experts380 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces830 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
140 / 200 / 250 % Sl icon.png
208 / 208 / 208 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
5 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
5 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
1 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ussr.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
ESS
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
100mm_BR412D_ammo_pack
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
100mm_3BK25_ammo_pack
Research:
5 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
5 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
100mm_3BK17M_ammo_pack
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
100mm_ussr_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods night vision device.png
NVD
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png

With a default APDS round available, the T-55A is somewhat viable in a downtier to assist going through the modification research. Aside from getting the survivability upgrades in the Parts and FPE modules, the ammunition unlocks in the Firepower category should also be prioritised in order to access the more potent APFSDS round and the HEAT-FS shell in the 3BM25 and 3BK17M module respectively. The NVD module should also be prioritized in order to survive the possibility of the next ground battle being in a dark environment.

Armaments

Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Main armament

Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition43 rounds
First-order18 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
9.7 → 7.5 s
Vertical guidance-5° / 18°
Main article: D-10T2S (100 mm)

The T-55A houses a 100 mm D-10T2S rifled anti-tank gun, which is equipped with an ejector and two-plane stabilizer arms. In-game, the T-55A has a 10.3 s reload rate, which is similar to its successor, the T-62. This rate of fire doesn't allow the T-55A to rush into battle and fend off waves of Leopards or M48s/M60s, but it is sufficient to defeat one or two opponents in quick succession with good shot placements, granted you shoot first.

The stock round (3BM-8, APDS) allows the T-55A to penetrate MBT-70 and KPz-70 frontally, as well as deal with all other major threats, notably the Leopards (which you can penetrate anywhere), and Chieftains (LFP, or UFP/LFP with the APFSDS round). One of the major advantages that the T-55A has over the majority of rank VI vehicles is its APCBC shell, which has the potential to one-shot any opponent if it penetrates. It is advised to flank your enemies and when given the opportunity, easily destroy oncoming enemies with this round.

100 mm D-10T2S Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 43 -5°/+18° ±180° Two-plane 14.3 19.8 24.0 26.5 28.2 11.05 9.78 9.01 8.50
Realistic 8.9 10.5 12.8 14.1 15.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
3BM-8 APDS 299 298 291 272 253 249
BR-412D APCBC 239 236 223 207 192 178
3BM25 APFSDS 335 330 307 290 275 260
3BK17M HEATFS 390 390 390 390 390 390
OF-412 HE 19 19 19 19 19 19
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
3BM-8 APDS 1,415 4.13 N/A N/A N/A 75° 78° 80°
BR-412D APCBC 887 15.9 1.2 19 93.94 48° 63° 71°
3BM25 APFSDS 1,430 3.4 N/A N/A N/A 76° 77° 80°
3BK17M HEATFS 1,085 9.96 0.05 1 1,440 65° 72° 77°
OF-412 HE 900 15.6 0.1 0.5 1,460 79° 80° 81°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Screen radius
(m)
Screen deploy time
(s)
Screen hold time
(s)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
3D3 880 15.6 20 5 25 272

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the T-55A
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
43 42 (+1) 37 (+6) 33 (+10) 21 (+22) 19 (+24) (+42) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Rack 6 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 18 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
  • This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 6 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 5.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-5 into rack 6. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.
  • If you pack 19 (+24) shells, it will keep most of the hull empty of ammo.

Machine guns

Ammunition350 rounds
Belt capacity50 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 60°
Ammunition3 500 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min

The T-55A has a roof-mounted 12.7 mm DShK machine gun, which allows it to fight low-flying aircraft or helicopters. However, it is not effective against jets. It is recommended to use this machine gun against lightly armoured ground targets and to check whether or not a tank is alive or not, by shooting its tracks (which can also be done with the coaxial machine gun).

12.7 mm DShK
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 350 (50) 600 -10°/+60° ±180°
7.62 mm SGMT
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 3,500 (250) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The T-55A has the great option to use an APCBC shell, which can one-shot Leopards frontally, and any well-armoured vehicles side-on. Therefore, this tank should be used as a flanker, large open areas present a great opportunity to scout and take out groups of oncoming enemies. However, make sure to stay near cover and use it after every shot to minimize the chances of getting scouted and penetrated.

The weak spot that allows a one-shot. 3 of the 4 crew members can be knocked out if shooting the upper right hand corner of the UFP.

However, that does not mean that the T-55A cannot engage opponents frontally. Its APFSDS round can penetrate all vehicles at its battle rating, apart from the T-64A/T-72 (if playing mixed battles), the Chieftains (when hull-down) and the Maus (when at distance and angled).

As a rule of thumb, protect your left-hand side when looking from behind the T-55A. You have 3 crew members there that can be taken out with a single well-placed APFSDS shot (upper right corner of the UFP). Also, don't rely on your reverse speed. You can't retreat efficiently, and will likely be destroyed in a close-quarters encounter if you don't engage your opponent first.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good mobility
  • Good gun and a wide ammo choices (APDS, APFSDS, APHE, HEATFS and smoke)
  • Roof-mounted machine gun for anti-air defence
  • Has a spall liner in the turret, lacking in the T-62, affords some protection from spalling
  • Safe ammo spot for 18 rounds near the driver in the fuel tanks give it some kinetic and chemical protection
  • Comes with a stabiliser unlike its older series the T-54

Cons:

  • Can easily be destroyed if penetrated through the turret, direct hits three of the four total crew members
  • Stock performance is quite lacklustre
  • No rangefinder
  • Poor zoom distance, only 3.5 and 7 times magnification
  • No smoke grenade launcher
  • Paltry 100 mm front plate
  • No chemical protection
  • Abysmally weak sides on the hull (80 mm) and worse at the back of the turret (66 mm)

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


USSR medium tanks
T-28  T-28 (1938) · T-28 · T-28E
T-34-76  T-34 (Prototype) · T-34 (1940) · T-34 (1941) · T-34 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-34 (1942) · T-34E STZ · T-34E
T-34-57  T-34-57 · T-34-57 (1943)
T-34-85  T-34-85 (D-5T) · T-34-85 · T-34-85E
T-34-100  T-34-100
T-44  T-44 · T-44-100 · T-44-122
T-54  T-54 (1947) · T-54 (1949) · T-54 (1951)
T-55  TO-55 · T-55A · T-55AM-1 · T-55AMD-1
T-62  T-62 · T-62M-1
T-64  Object 435 · T-64A (1971) · T-64B
T-72  T-72A · T-72AV (TURMS-T) · T-72B · T-72B (1989) · T-72B3 · T-72M2 Moderna
T-80  T-80B · T-80U · T-80UD · T-80UK · T-80UM2 · T-80BVM · Object 292
T-90  Т-90А · T-90M
Trophies/Lend-Lease 
Germany  ▂T-III · ▂T-V
Great Britain  ▂МК-IX "Valentine"
USA  ▂M3 Medium · ▂M4A2