T-26 Transporters

T26 T and T26 TB
Mirage Hobby
These were two models that were almost indistinguishable on the outside. The only difference is a ladder on both versions. On the TP (Transporter Personnel) there was a ladder on each side to enter and exit the vehicle. On the TB (Transporter Ammunition) model the ladder was in the front in front of the driver’s compartment.
The TBs Load was up to 1 ton and the TP could carry a squad of 7 troops.
Armament = 1 x 7.62mm DT MG

T-26 76.2mm “Leningrad”

Dzialo Samobiezne 76.2mm “Leningrad”
Mirage Hobby
This was a repair depot modification at Leningrad’s Kirov plant while they were surrounded and cut off from the main body of Russia in 1941. They would take damaged T26’s and repair them in what ever way would give them something to fight with. According to the models instructions “about a dozen or so” were modified in this manner, another source (rkkaww2.armchairgeneral.com) said 24 were rebuilt in this manner.
Gun = Mk 1926 Naval 76.2mm gun

AT-1

AT-1
Mirage Hobby
This Artillery-Tank or AT-1 was built from 1933 (1935) until the model was cancelled in favor of the BT-7A Artillery Tank. The models instructions said that ten were built.
Gun = 76.2mm PS-3 gun.
MG = 2 DT 7.62mm MG

T-26 with turret A43

T-26 with turret A43
UM Plastic Model kit
It was developed in 1932-1933. This was an experimental tank and did not enter production but the lessons learned from it were used in the T-26A and BT-7A artilery tanks.
It was armed with a 76.2mm gun and a coaxial 7.62mm MG

New T-26 models found

Well it's been a long time since adding to this page but I have finaly finished some new models of T-26 tanks and there off shoots to add pictures of. I built six new models in 1/72 scale, two of which are already featured here and four are new and will be listed in my next entries. I also saw pictures of two others in 1/76 scale but have not found them any where yet to buy them.
The second, third and fourth of these I plan on scratch building in 1/87th scale.
Enjoy.

A question of scale

I have often received the question as to why I use 1/87 scale tanks instead of the 1/100 that are sold by the Battlefront gaming company. My answer is simple. Appearance.
15mm men are not 1/100 scale but are closer to 1/87 scale than anything else available.
The 1/87 scale tanks are close enough to use together with either if wanted but the 1/100 scale tanks can not be used along with the 1/72 scale very well. They don’t even look close. I have been active in the past with different groups and gaming systems in both scales and this scale works with both.
With that in mind all gaming miniatures are usable if the players agree to it and it is just a preference of mine to have the men and tanks look like they are in scale to each other.
If you look at the above photo you will see some 15mm men as sold by Battlefront along with the same version of T-26 tank in three different miniature gaming scales. The one on the left is by Battlefront and is sold along with the men to play Flames of War. The one in the middle is in 1/87 scale and is what I use. The one on the right is by a eastern European company and is in 1/72 scale. The crew to this tank is three, one driver and two in the turret. Looking at the size of the people versus the tank model you can’t fit two scale people on the turret of the 1/100 scale model and the 1/72 scale model is way to big to look right on a gaming table.
If you look at the larger tanks the difference is even more pronounced.
This is why I use a combination of 15mm and 1/87 scale in my miniatures. I use the people, smaller vehicles, crew served weapons and artillery from battlefront and other companies in 15mm and larger tanks and vehicles in 1/87 scale.

Thank you and I will now get off my soap box.

An interesting side note

I found an interesting picture that demonstrates how tank sizes have changed over the years. This will lead into a post I hope to add in this weekend if I can finish them this Friday. Come back again to see it.