Takom T-57 and T-58 Heavy Tanks Announced

Takom Unleashes Cold War Giants: T-57 and T-58 Heavy Tanks Announced

Takom has ignited excitement among armor modelers with the announcement of their upcoming 1/35 scale kits of the T-57 and T-58 heavy tanks. These experimental American behemoths of the Cold War era represent a fascinating chapter in tank development, and Takom’s releases promise to bring these unique vehicles to life.

A Glimpse into Cold War Tank Development:

The T-57 and T-58 were born from the United States’ efforts to counter the perceived threat of Soviet heavy tanks like the IS-3. These projects explored the concept of heavily armored tanks equipped with powerful guns and advanced autoloading systems.

Historical Context (from Wikipedia and other sources):

• T-57 Heavy Tank:
  • The T-57 was an experimental heavy tank designed as a successor to the M103.
  • It featured an oscillating turret and a 120mm gun with an autoloading system, aiming for a high rate of fire.
  • The project was ultimately canceled as tank design philosophy shifted towards more versatile main battle tanks.
• T-58 Heavy Tank:
  • The T-58 was a further development, intended to mount a 155mm gun.
  • It also utilized an oscillating turret and an autoloader, but with separated ammunition.
  • Like the T-57, the T-58 project was canceled.
  • These projects where born out of the cold war arms race, and the need to counter expected soviet heavy armor.

Takom’s Kits:

Takom is known for its high-quality armor kits, and these releases are highly anticipated. Key features to expect include:

• Accurate Detailing: Takom’s reputation suggests that these kits will feature highly detailed moldings, capturing the complex shapes of the oscillating turrets and the heavy armor.
• Detailed Autoloading Systems: The autoloading systems were a key feature of these tanks, and Takom is likely to provide detailed representations of these mechanisms.
• Options and Variants: It is possible that Takom will include options for different configurations and details.
• High quality track links: Takom usually provides very high quality track links in its kits.

These kits will offer a unique modeling experience. The oscillating turrets and autoloading systems will provide intricate assembly challenges. The sheer size and bulk of these tanks will make for impressive finished models.

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Key Modeling Considerations:

• Pay close attention to the assembly of the oscillating turrets, ensuring proper alignment and fit.
• The autoloading systems will require careful assembly and painting to highlight the intricate details.
• Research the specific details of these tanks, as they were experimental vehicles with variations in their configurations.
• Cold war era weathering can be very interesting, so there is lots of room for creativity.

The Significance:

The T-57 and T-58 represent a fascinating “what if” in tank development. They showcase the innovative engineering of the Cold War era and the drive to create ever more powerful weapons. Takom’s kits will allow modelers to explore this unique chapter in tank history.

Where to find information:

• Takom’s Facebook page is the primary source for their announcements.
• Websites and forums dedicated to armor modeling will provide reviews and build logs once the kits are released.
• Websites like “The Modelling News” provide great reviews on new releases.

These Takom releases will be a great addition to any modelers collection.

Takom Facebook page