Tamiya 35328 - 1:35 Tiran 5 Israeli Tank

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the Israeli Tiran 5 tank

Tamiya 35328 reproduces the Israeli Tiran 5 tank. During the Six-Day War in 1967, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) captured numerous T-55 tanks from the Arab armies, which were quickly modified and put into service under the name Tiran 5. Many had their original 100 mm gun replaced with a 105 mm one and were fitted with additional weaponry and equipment to enhance their combat capabilities.

The model captures the characteristic shape of the Tiran 5 with its modified gun, M2 heavy machine gun on the mantlet, crew machine guns and a mortar mount on the left side. The storage box on the right of the turret was fitted to aid friend/foe identification. Water tanks and other auxiliary equipment are also reproduced.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull and turret
• Modified 105 mm gun
• M2 heavy machine gun on the mantlet and crew machine guns
• Mortar mount, storage box on the right of the turret, water tanks
• Tool boxes and auxiliary equipment
• Mixed tracks with a realistic sag
• Two figures (torsos)
• Decal sheet to depict the vehicle in its 1980 form
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35328
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 252 mm, width: 96 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (many accessories)

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Thanks to the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders, although the many additional fittings call for care during assembly. The mixed tracks allow a realistic sag over the road wheels to be reproduced.

For painting, the typical Israeli Sinai Grey is recommended, matching the chosen marking option. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail and recesses benefit from a wash and dry-brushing.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Tiran 5:

Tiran 5 is the Israeli designation for captured Soviet T-55 tanks taken during the Six-Day War in 1967. The Israeli army thoroughly modified them: many were re-armed from the 100 mm to a 105 mm gun, an M2 heavy machine gun was added on the gun mantlet, individual machine guns were provided for the commander and loader, and a storage box was fitted to the right of the turret to aid friend/foe identification.

The Tiran 5s took part in the Yom Kippur War in October 1973 and remained in front-line service until the early 1980s. They were later passed on to armed forces in various parts of the world, including the South Lebanese Army.

Original specifications (Tiran 5):

• Length with gun: approx. 9.0 m
• Width: approx. 3.3 m
• Height: approx. 2.4 m
• Combat weight: approx. 36 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 105 mm gun (in place of the original 100 mm)
• Secondary armament: M2 heavy machine gun and crew machine guns
• Powerplant: diesel engine, approx. 580 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 50 km/h
• Base vehicle: Soviet T-55 tank

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.