Albania OOB (55)

[Imp]

We aren't talking about the most complex device ever created by Man.

[Jaakko]

Originally Posted by DRG

I've copied your info to the list and will look into it later in the year

Thanks, I appreciate that.

Originally Posted by Marcello

I will try to check but I would suspect they did not bother.
While stabilization systems of that era had some marginal usefulness it was something you could do without, many western tank designs lacked them well into the 60's and did just fine.
In a third world setting it was probably better not having them, what limited maintenance resources were available would better spent ensuring others more vital systems (engine etc.) were properly cared for.

I too would assume there weren't any actual updates, but perhaps "updates" in game terms - such as "newer ammo" from China during the 70's? For test's sake I made a copy of the Type-59 (unit 020), only changing the gun to "100mm T69 Gun" copied from China OOB(weapon 092) and availability set on the estimated possible 1/71. This increases the AP value from 19 to 21 (still one point less than the T-54/55). I feel this would make a plausible, if not presumable, "update".

I see no reason why remaining Soviet ammo would've been reserved for the aging T-54 and T-55, and I see no reason why they should keep on having better AP value beyond the early 70's. Maybe there should also be copies of the T-54 and T-55 units with the gun changed to Chinese ammo.

Also, is it optics or what that explains the better FC value of the T-54B and T-55? As of now it's 5 versus the 3 of the Type-59.

The only worthile change would be adding a LRF and a digital ballistic computer. I suspect they could have afforded that only recently, if at all.

Not in the 80's or 90's in any case. Before clear information appears, I'd focus on improving the OOB date of the Cold War era units but that's just my preference.

Marcello, do you have opinions on my questions concerning the other units?

[Marcello]

Originally Posted by Jaakko

I too would assume there weren't any actual updates, but perhaps "updates" in game terms - such as "newer ammo" from China during the 70's? For test's sake I made a copy of the Type-59 (unit 020), only changing the gun to "100mm T69 Gun" copied from China OOB(weapon 092) and availability set on the estimated possible 1/71. This increases the AP value from 19 to 21 (still one point less than the T-54/55). I feel this would make a plausible, if not presumable, "update".

I see no reason why remaining Soviet ammo would've been reserved for the aging T-54 and T-55, and I see no reason why they should keep on having better AP value beyond the early 70's. Maybe there should also be copies of the T-54 and T-55 units with the gun changed to Chinese ammo.

Also, is it optics or what that explains the better FC value of the T-54B and T-55? As of now it's 5 versus the 3 of the Type-59.

Just a quick answer from what I remember. Chinese export ammo of that era were, by the looks of them, probably straight copies or stuff in the same ballpark of soviet rounds; the 19-21 variance you see should be the BR412B/D gap, both of which were by then available long since.
As for FC value, Type 59 was based on T-54A.

[Wdll]

I am not disputing they might had 10 or so tanks able to move. But moving and being fighting capable is a huge difference.
And I too remember things very well at the time since I joined the navy in 1995 and I wasn't too young to know what is going on in the world.
As for the Balkans, they are always in trouble or about to be. That doesn't meant Albania was in any danger of getting into a war then.

[DRG]

I've added or corrected or removed what I could find info on and what I couldn't find info on I left alone for now. The info on the Type 69 RPG being one point less than Type-56 led to a re-examining of both types and corrections made to the Type 56 RPG and all the nations that used it.

Don