Today I’m introducing a new model, the SPK-5 crane tank based on the T-34. This crane tank served in the armed forces of the Soviet Army and the NVA of the GDR until the mid-1970s. Disused T-34/76 and T-34/85 tank hulls were used for it. The differences were noticeable in the nose and the tailgate. These crane tanks were replaced by the T-55TK. Here are some original pictures, as this crane tank is relatively unknown.
I used a kit from Maquette and metal tracks from Friul. Everything else was made myself out of plastic, as always.
The museum closed a couple years back. Most of the armor went to latrun they say but who knows where most of the stuff ended up cause I sure didn’t see it at latrun on my last visit
Loved the museum in jaffa they had an amazing collection is f one offs prototypes captures etc plus weapons and other goodies
You could have spent days there… the had the kids only GAZ baby carriage AT in the country that was 100% intact…
A little bit about your question, this crane tank was used in the repair units for tank technology. It was mainly seen during larger troop movements. Here is a picture of a field repair and of a scrapped SPK-5.
Now for the construction of the model, the platform for the crane was built onto the vehicle. The large gear is firmly connected to the hull and the platform can be rotated 360°. The crane is powered electrically, for this purpose a generator is built into the tank hull. Now for the construction.
Here’s another interesting original photo of the SPK-5 armored crane during the removal of a gas turbine from the T-80 tank. It shows how long these vehicles were in service.
Indeed interesting. Scratch work looks good 
