Name: Finnish Army T-55 w/ KMT-5 1:35 Model Kit by Trumpeter
Brand: SCH Models
SKU: TRU00341
Price: 21.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

Finnish Army T-55 w/ KMT-5 1:35 Model Kit by Trumpeter

£21.99

Model Features

1:35 scale plastic model kit
Accurately represents the Finnish Army T-55 with KMT-5 mine-clearing system, a modified Soviet-designed tank operated by Finland during the Cold War period
Detailed representation of the Finnish service version of the T-55 medium tank
Includes the distinctive KMT-5 mine-clearing plough and roller system mounted to the front of the vehicle
Accurately reproduced turret with detailed gun mantlet, commander’s cupola, and machine gun fittings
Detailed hull featuring realistic armour plates, weld lines, engine deck, and surface details
Includes detailed suspension system with accurately reproduced road wheels, drive sprockets, and idler wheels
Detailed running gear and track components
Realistic external equipment including fuel tanks, storage boxes, tools, and tow cables
Detailed KMT-5 mine trawl components including rollers, support arms, chains, and mine-clearing rakes
Includes fine moulded details suitable for weathering and advanced painting techniques
Waterslide decal sheet featuring Finnish Army markings
Precision-moulded parts designed for an accurate Cold War-era armour build
Ideal for Finnish Defence Forces collections, Cold War dioramas, or modern military vehicle displays.

Specifications

Brand: Trumpeter
Scale: 1:35
Subject: Finnish Army T-55 with KMT-5 Mine-Clearing System
Material: Injection-moulded plastic
Skill Level: Suitable for intermediate modellers
Paint & Glue Required: Yes (sold separately)
Recommended Age: 14+
Kit Number: 00341
Vehicle Type: Medium Tank / Mine-Clearing Vehicle
Base Vehicle: Soviet T-55 Medium Tank
Track Type: Plastic track components included
Decal Options: Finnish Army markings
Main Armament: 100mm D-10T2S rifled gun
Mine-Clearing Equipment: KMT-5 mine trawl system

What's in the Box

Plastic sprues
Detailed upper and lower hull components
T-55 turret assembly
100mm main gun components
Suspension and running gear parts
Track assemblies
KMT-5 mine-clearing roller and rake system
External fuel tanks and vehicle equipment
Machine gun and turret accessories
Waterslide decal sheet with Finnish Army markings
Illustrated assembly instructions

History of the Original Vehicle

The Finnish Army T-55 with KMT-5 mine-clearing system was a Cold War-era armoured vehicle operated by Finland, combining the reliable Soviet-designed T-55 medium tank with specialised engineering equipment designed to clear minefields and obstacles.

Finland acquired the T-55 during the Cold War as part of its effort to maintain a capable armoured force while balancing its position between East and West. The T-55 was selected due to its reliability, simplicity, and suitability for Finland’s demanding terrain, including forests, marshlands, and rugged countryside.

The original T-55 was developed in the Soviet Union as an improved successor to the T-54 series. Entering production in the late 1950s, it became one of the most widely produced tanks in history. The design introduced improvements such as increased ammunition capacity, improved nuclear, biological, and chemical protection, and enhanced battlefield systems compared with earlier Soviet tanks.

Finland operated several versions of the T-55 family, adapting them to meet national requirements. Finnish vehicles received modifications including improved communications equipment, updated fire-control systems, and locally developed upgrades to increase operational effectiveness.

The addition of the KMT-5 mine-clearing system transformed the tank into an engineering support vehicle capable of breaching minefields and preparing safe routes for advancing armoured formations. The KMT-5 was introduced during the early 1960s and used a combination of mine rollers and mine-clearing rakes to trigger and remove anti-tank mines.

The KMT-5 system consisted of two heavy roller assemblies positioned ahead of the tank, designed to detonate pressure-sensitive mines before the vehicle reached them. Additional rake components helped clear buried mines and obstacles from the vehicle’s path. A central chain assembly helped address mines that could otherwise pass between the rollers and threaten the tank’s underside.

The T-55’s rugged design made it particularly suitable for engineering roles. Its strong suspension, reliable diesel engine, and straightforward mechanical layout allowed it to operate in harsh environments with relatively simple maintenance requirements.

Finnish T-55 vehicles served for several decades, remaining an important part of the country’s armoured capability during the Cold War. Although later replaced by more modern vehicles, they provided Finland with a dependable and effective armoured platform.

The Finnish Army T-55 with KMT-5 represents an interesting combination of Soviet engineering and Finnish military adaptation. Unlike standard combat tanks, mine-clearing variants highlight the importance of engineering vehicles in modern warfare, where mobility and battlefield preparation are often just as important as firepower.

For modellers, this vehicle offers a distinctive subject due to its unusual front-mounted mine-clearing equipment, Finnish markings, and Cold War operational history. It provides an excellent opportunity to create a unique armour display or engineering vehicle diorama.