T-55 turret rotation mechanism

T-55 Turret Rotation Mechanism

Catalogue number: 155.34сь-А

Ever wondered what makes a T-55 turret go round and round? Well, here’s your chance to own the very mechanism that does exactly that! These are original turret rotation mechanisms from the legendary T-55 tank – the beast that served in literally every conflict from the Cold War onwards.

What you’re getting:

This is the complete mechanical part of the turret rotation system. It’s the robust, Soviet-engineered gearbox that allowed tank commanders from East Germany to Angola to traverse their turrets and engage targets. Built like everything else from that era – simple, sturdy, and designed to work in conditions ranging from Arctic cold to desert heat.

The honest truth – what’s NOT included and what’s damaged:

Let’s be clear about what you’re NOT getting and what needs attention, because we believe in being straightforward with our customers:

• No electric motor – Someone removed it before these mechanisms reached us. You’ll need to source your own motor if you want powered rotation.
• No handcrank – Apparently, someone thought they needed it more than we did (sic!). If you want manual traverse capability, you’ll have to fabricate your own handcrank. Any decent workshop should be able to make one based on the mounting points.
• Broken turret position indicator glass – Unfortunately, each glass on the turret position indicator is broken. These glass covers are quite fragile, and decades of service (and probably some rough handling during demilitarization) have taken their toll. The indicator mechanism itself is intact, but you’ll need to source or fabricate replacement glass if you want the indicator to be dust-sealed and waterproofed.

Condition:

These mechanisms are used, straight from decommissioned T-55 tanks. They show their age and service history – expect surface rust, old paint, the general patina that comes from decades of military service, and yes, those broken indicator glasses we mentioned. But the gears inside are Soviet engineering at its finest – built to last and designed to be maintained with basic tools.

The mechanical components – the parts that actually matter for function – are solid. The cosmetic damage to the indicator glasses doesn’t affect the mechanism’s ability to rotate a turret. It just means you won’t be able to see the pretty little dial telling you where the turret is pointing until you sort out the glass situation.

What can you do with it?

• Restore your T-55 project tank
• Use it as the core of a custom turret rotation system
• Display it as an impressive piece of Cold War military history (broken glass adds to the “battle-worn” aesthetic!)
• Study Soviet mechanical engineering up close
• Create a unique conversation piece for your workshop or man cave
• Challenge yourself with a complete restoration project

Technical specifications:

• Catalogue number: 155.34сь-А
• Original equipment from T-55 tanks
• Purely mechanical gearbox system
• Designed for reliability and ease of maintenance
• Mounting points for electric motor (motor not included)
• Handcrank mounting provision (handcrank not included)
• Turret position indicator present (glass covers broken)

Availability:

Only 10 units in stock! These don’t come around often, and once they’re gone, we don’t know when we’ll be able to source more.

A word about restoration:

Yes, this mechanism needs some work to be fully operational and look pristine. But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? Any serious tank restorer knows that finding Warsaw Pact parts in factory-new condition is like finding a unicorn. These mechanisms are solid foundations for a restoration project. The missing motor, handcrank, and broken glasses are challenges, not deal-breakers. We’ve seen much worse brought back to life in our workshop!

Shipping:

These mechanisms are heavy and bulky, as you’d expect from tank components. Shipping cost will be calculated at checkout based on your location. We’re located in Jarocin, Poland, so personal collection is possible and will save you shipping costs. We’re about 230 kilometres from Frankfurt (Oder) on the E30 motorway (A2), making pickup relatively easy for those in Germany and Central Europe.

For delivery across Europe, we typically use small trucks (Fiat Ducato or Ford Transit) for heavy items like this. We’ll provide driver details, vehicle information, and estimated arrival time once your shipment is loaded.

Why buy from ForTankmen?

We’ve spent over 10 years working with Warsaw Pact military vehicles. We know these mechanisms inside and out, and we’re here to help if you have questions about installation, compatibility, or restoration. We’re tankmen ourselves, and we love helping fellow enthusiasts keep these historic machines running.

Questions?

Need more photos? Want to know if this will work with your specific project? Wondering about the best way to fabricate a replacement handcrank or source replacement glass for the indicator? Contact us – we’re always happy to help fellow tank enthusiasts!

Remember: This is a mechanical component only. Electric motor and handcrank not included. Turret position indicator glasses are broken. But hey, that’s what makes restoration projects interesting, right? Plus, you’re getting authentic Soviet engineering at a fraction of what a perfect specimen would cost – if you could even find one!

Stay awesome!