T-54/55 versions

[brummbaer]

PlasmaKrab said:
As well, what would be the actual difference between tanks of the T-55M and T-55AM series? If we assume both modernizations were carried out at the same time, on modernized T-55As and plain T-55s, wouldn't the latter also get the 55A-level upgrades like the PKT and DShK?
In the same way as what Don said above, both M and AM series could probably be collapsed together.

The main difference is the same between T-55 and T-55A, i.e. the anti-radiation liner, and the lacking in A of the bow MG. Don't know about changing MG in modernized plain T-55s, but irrilevant I'd say. So I agree, not a major difference for SP purpose, as long as they don't cover nuclear warfare .
It's even difficult to tell the A apart from the plain T-55, as in some pictures tanks named T-55 and T-55M apparently lack the bow MG hole!
What I know about modernization years is above, anyway being the plain T-55 older it's reasonable to assume they underwent it earlier. Maybe i misunderstand you, but just for clarity T-55A weren't modernized tanks but new-built ones.

[PlasmaKrab]

OK, thanks for the update, I thought at least part of the T-55As were modernized from stock T-55s.
Anyway, it boils down to the only difference between M and AM being, in game terms, the BMG.
I don't know if the old CMG has been retained while rebuilding the old T-55s to M standard, but when you're already taking out the stabilizer, gunner sight and probably gunbarrel, changing the CMG as well is no big feat.

[brummbaer]

Having made some thought of it:
T-54M/AM (not the polish AM) can be assimilated to plain T-55, T-55 can be assimilated to T-55A and M to AM.
This simplify things a bit, but leaves a lot of variants still that the game now doesn't cover or mixes in odd way. Any interest by the designers in going further?