The IDF is a resourceful bunch and in the case of enemy armor, captured tanks can be a great resource if you put the effort in to make them fit your needs. In the wars with Egypt and Syria scores of T54/T55 tanks were captured and pressed into service. To improve survivability and firepower many had L7 105mm Guns installed and an improved defensive suite of machine guns and a 60mm Mortar installed. These tanks filled gaps and allowed for resources to be focused on other projects.

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Using Tamiya 1/35 kit as template and on of the original run of Hooben T55s and an aftermarket L7 gun.
Using Tamiya 1/35 kit as template and on of the original run of Hooben T55s and an aftermarket L7 gun.
It is a nice effort to match a Tamiya level kit but my offering had many mold issues, short shots, and flash to correct.
It is a nice effort to match a Tamiya level kit but my offering had many mold issues, short shots, and flash to correct.
There is a lot of hardware to sort through but all seems to be here!
There is a lot of hardware to sort through but all seems to be here!
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t8Ufb4COQISTuU5VB+hDoA.jpg
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vNVM9m4eSZSLpiwEyRdU%Q.jpg
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pZvZnAPbQtOdabFG0ApKzA.jpg
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ZWE7EEHYTw6%rsBQfpDDUw.jpg
Assembled enough to run. Battle day test of primary systems.
Assembled enough to run. Battle day test of primary systems.
Using Tamiya 1/35 kit as template
Using Tamiya 1/35 kit as template
Ruler, calculator, styrene is my inspiration.
Ruler, calculator, styrene is my inspiration.
Rear stowage bin.
Rear stowage bin.
Anything to avoid clang up those fuel drums.
Anything to avoid clang up those fuel drums.
Turret Stowage bin.
Turret Stowage bin.
Took quite bit of measuring bit the final product fits nicely!
Took quite bit of measuring bit the final product fits nicely!
Working on the gunners .50 cal using and older Tamiya version as my sample. It lacks detail but I see this breaking off quite a bit....
Working on the gunners .50 cal using and older Tamiya version as my sample. It lacks detail but I see this breaking off quite a bit....
Adding side stowage bin. Started with plastic card and bent it and sanded to shape.
Adding side stowage bin. Started with plastic card and bent it and sanded to shape.
I used an old credit card as it seemed to ironically be the exact shape of the lid.
I used an old credit card as it seemed to ironically be the exact shape of the lid.
Took about 3 tries to analyze and position the box.
Took about 3 tries to analyze and position the box.
So far so good.
So far so good.
During the reference portion of this build I found some of these boxes were added just to break up the outline of the tank.
During the reference portion of this build I found some of these boxes were added just to break up the outline of the tank.
Added hinges from the dollhouse stash.
Added hinges from the dollhouse stash.
IMG_8363.JPG
IMG_8363.JPG
Base coat to check for gaps etc/
Base coat to check for gaps etc/
Took the tank to San Diego and it was a really good battler.... Until the elevation broke....
Took the tank to San Diego and it was a really good battler.... Until the elevation broke....
Old Hooben gearboxes and recoil really held up though!
Old Hooben gearboxes and recoil really held up though!