Soviet OBB T-62 designations

[Smersh]

"Smersh's T-62 crusade"

I've been doing alot of research into this, I've looked at a few of books from the 80s, from Jane's and other authors. The conclusion I've come to is that they knew nothing.

The true designations seem to be a mix of FAS and modern Janes. The bottom-line is that the current SPMBT designation system is out of date.

edit:I've made some changes to my own OBB: What is currently called T-62M (unit 18), I've changed to T-62 M1969, this is the so called T-62A with the 12.7mm AAmg. Unit 19, I've changed to T-62 M1975, this adds the laser range-finder. It seems T-62s produced after those years started adding those parts. In 1969 when the AAmg was added this was mistaken as a seperate variant (sometimes called a T-62A or even less common T-62M) since older model T-62s remained in service.

Unit 21, currently T-62M1 I've changed to T-62M and coorespondingly unit 22 currently T-62M1 BDD to T-62M BDD. The T-62M1 was the variant with no missles, since the MBT version has missiles it should not be called T-62M1.

I've made no other changes besided unit name, everything else remains identical. This may seem like a minor change, but, for me, it really cleared up alot of confusion, and makes unit names more accurate.


It would be very nice if someone would design a T-62M BDD icon, to represent the extra add on applique armor. currently it looks like the standard T-62 with a different camo. upgraded (AM1, AM2) T-55 models get a seperate looking icon.