Soviet Tank T-74 aka Object 450

As I’m coming to the end of the build of this not uninteresting vehicle, I thought I’d open a second thread within the Cold War section; the main build and progress is covered within the campaign site “Best Tank That Never Was – Part 3” where you’ll find a few more details. This is not an attempt to garner extra plaudits (or criticism come to that) but it occurred to me that some may not delve into the campaign threads that often, and the T-74 would pass you by.

Just be aware that Trumpeter have produced a model of a model; the real thing, as far I was able to find out, never actually saw the light of day; it remained a concept and that, given the state of political infighting amongst Soviet designers and Generals, was that. The replacement tank ended up being the T-80.

However, a fascinating design by Morozov, who was also responsible for the lethal T-64. This time, all the crew were in the hull. The weapon was a 125mm as per the T-64 but a 130mm gun was also planned. I imagine the vehicle was quite lively and agile, probably a touch faster than the T-64, as sans a full turret could probably get a move on.

Anyway, my idea was to display it as a prototype only, on trials somewhere in the Byelorussian Military District of Soviet Russia. In other words, enhance the model by adding all the stuff we’ve come to know as representative of Soviet tanks; as I say, the build is just about complete. Details are probably self-evident, but I’ve added, headlights, IR equipment(30mm one secured by adhesive putty at the moment), fuel drums, and also tweaked generally the rather bland Trumpeter offering. I decided in the end not to produce a Schnorkel; I couldn’t quite work out where it would go; I imagine it would have been fastened atop the fuel drums for real, as per the habit on T-62s. I used dowel to replace the plastic unditching beam (temporarily secured with adhesive putty). Other small enhancements were some etch gizmology to the 2 x MG ammo boxes, ammo box reinforcing on the 30mm, wipers on the sight units, a Schnorkel cover plate to the crew compartment, a hatch to the sponson’s rear, and that was about it. I couldn’t decide where the tank’s tarpaulin would go, and initially decided to cram it in at the LH hull rear, and manufactured some rather crude wire brackets for the securing straps, but thinking on a bit, I’ll remove them. Any tarp positioned there would become so sodden and dirty it would end up useless (which is why I’m sure, they were normally positioned on the turret).

All glue splodges and poor construction practices etc are mine, and mine alone!

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I’ve actually added a few more details: small station-keeping lights (ET Models) which arrived today; I’d forgotten I’d ordered them. The tank identification light – facing rearwards on the turret rear, an antennae and mount, some small handles where I thought appropriate and last of all, a liberal application of model railway flock; this will represent mud once painted, after all, this is a prototype vehicle and will have been ragged over the training area, which is what I’m trying to represent. All wiring, where visible, from either copper fuse wire or lead wire.

I was hoping to have it all finished for the show at Abingdon this coming Saturday, but I’m in danger of rushing it all (a relative term for me!) so tomorrow, primer and that’ll be that. I’ll still take it as a Work In Progress so it will hopefully, still generate a bit of interest from the modelling public.

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In primer at last!

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Excellent model you have there Brian! Can’t wait to see it in its colors. Plain Soviet green I presume?

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I’m afraid so - not even any turret numbers; plus of course, my usual swoosh of Tamiya Buff!

I do have a plan to portray a crew chowing down to lunch though.

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Interesting model. In my memories the T-74 was just a wrong denomination by NATO of a T-72 version. Esci issued such a model if I remember correctly.

Olivier

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Thanks Olivier; Esci did indeed issue such a model:

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In fairness to them, at the time, the military press were postulating that a “T-74” was a new tank albeit clearly a T-72 derivative. It was always a source of regret to me that the Esci models never lived up to the artwork(!)

I’ve researched a fair bit reference the Object 450 and it seems pretty clear to me that Morozov, the designer, had the designation authorised for his project. As I’ve mentioned before, Trumpeter produced a model of a model:

image

The Soviet model:

which all gave me the incentive to add and embellish the model arguably, admittedly, as to what such a beast may have looked like were it ever a prototype - and it’s been great fun.

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Being late to the party …
Could it be feasible to store a tarpaulin behind the turret but in front of the engine hatch?
Folded as flat as possible so that the gun could traverse above the tarpaulin?
The fuel drums are already obstructing the gun but I assume those would be removed before actually going into battle.

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Unfortunately not Robin; the ammo is stored in front of the engine compartment, and those 2 x thin hatches - just discernible on my model, contain the automatic loader mechanism, as I understand it, planned like this:

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I’m sure the Sovs would have gotten around the problem somehow - perhaps the side of the turret not cluttered with searchlight etc? Or stashed atop - or on the sides of the fuel sponsons on the hull sides? I might leave the brackets I’d installed on the rear hull plate after all (or replace them - some fell off).

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Ah! I see …
Would it be remotely possible to argue that tarpaulins and other “external luggage” was unloaded before going into battle? Similar to those containers of flammable liquid …

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Probably; my model is meant to be a prototype when these things get sorted out - I imagine. I’m not sure a crew would want to leave their tarp behind if only it may well double as a shelter.

Of course, the idea does lend itself to a second model portrayed as in service - now that would be something!

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Sounds plausible.

If I were to “upgrade” this pre-prototype to an in service version I would add one stowage bin up front on each side, similar to the rearmost one. All the bins would be slighly wider and slightly higher.
Turret is made just big enough to fit the tech in there, reduce armoured volume and visible area. Therefore I would not add bins or stuff to the turret. The glacis looks empty and might be used by the crew as"unofficial" storage area

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All sounds good; I’d also add smoke mortars but probably somewhere on the glacis. Like I need another project!

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Oh YES! Absolutely.
Either behind/above the light clusers or out on the corners on the sloping armour above the flimsy fenders. Behind the clusters is better protected against bushes and trees …

HAH! Don’t we all …
:grin:

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Just as an historical aside, Morozov viewed that the likely opponents for this project would be the Keiler - progenitor of the Leopard 2 if you like, and the US XM803 (MBT 70 light); he considered that both these and Chieftain come to that, were far too heavy, and therefore the T-74 was to be nimble but heavily armed, as I’m sure it would have been.

Anyway, one for the What-If fraternity perhaps: T-74 and its foes?

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A nice coat of green now applied and I’ll give it a couple of days to settle down; annoyingly, I knocked off the hatch latches/handles when painting, and also didn’t quite mask the 30mm housing as tightly as I should have, though that’s an easy enough touch-up. Next stop a gloss varnish I think.

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Looking at the drawings you posted , the whole “turret” pivots like the AMX series?
If it was intended to mount the standard 125mm cannon it looks like it has barely enough room for the breach let alone room for recoil.

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Sean,

I don’t think the turret oscillates akin to the French ones; the trunnions for the gun are depicted on the model (Trumpeter’s) as shown a few pics back - my model in primer) so the gun will elevate/depress as per normal. However, pics of the Soviet model do indicate a certain tilt - conceivably to facilitate the automatic loading, so perhaps it does move?

My interpretation is that the 2 small hatches on the hull - above the ammo - open and a lifting arm loads the round into the breech, through a hatch - which must also exist for ejecting the cartridge stub of the ammo once fired What actual mechanics are required to effect this I have no idea, but presumably Morozov did. Perhaps something to open and close the breech and the commensurate loading/ejection hatch, and that must be about it I should think (which is why I’ve also put the antennae on the hull; I imagine the turret has no spare room even for radio cabling.

image

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The Soviet model is a bit light on details - which is where I’ve also much fun adding them - hopefully plausibly; I’m assuming the Sovs could make it work, after all, the T-64 was pretty revolutionary at the time of its introduction, not least with an automatic loader of its own (and composite armour, etc)

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I had to check my modelling notes - clearly an age thing - but I’m getting out of sequence here; the next steps will be (in order):

Paint details

Gloss (this will secure the base colour and details, enable decals and facilitate washes etc)

Decals

Chipping – if necessary

Wash – including pin washes

Dry brush

Matt varnish – re-gloss where necessary; if gloss finish then matt details

Add antennae/light lenses – latter can be affixed before but will need masking

Weather – paint/pastels

Blend to base if using one eg Tamiya Buff etc

Exhaust pastels if appropriate

This, I’m sure is old hat to most, and I’m sure modellers will all have their own sequence, but this is mine, and I’d forgotten it(!)

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I’ll second the idea for modelling one as it may have appeared if put into service with all the inevitable modifications that would’ve been necessary, would make an interesting side by side display.

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