1:72 scale diecast tank by Hobby Master. Type 59 Main Battle Tank, Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Length 5 inches
Width 2 inches

Features:
* Diecast metal and plastic construction.
* Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull.
* Painted, fitted, non-moving tracks on detailed non-rotating wheels.
* Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
* Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
* Clear acrylic display case to protect model.

The Soviets agreed to assist China in building a manufacturing facility to produce the T-54A in 1956. In 1957 production started using parts supplied by Russia but were gradually replaced with parts made in China. The first MBT produced in China was a basic clone of the T-54A but didn�t include an IR searchlight. The first tanks were completed in 1958 and were accepted by the PLA in 1959 and thus received the designation Type-59. The Chinese industrial designation for this tank was WZ120. Production continued until 1980 when approximately 9,500 to 10,000 tanks had been manufactured with many going to units such as the 1st armored division of 65th Group Army in the Beijing Military District. Of these approximately 4,000 were exported. Over the years the Type 59 received six upgrades one being the replacement of the 100 mm Type 59 rifled gun with a 105 mm rifled gun. It also received a new fire control system, fire suppression system, improved engines, laser range finders, improved armor and a list of others. The main users of the Type 59 were China, Vietnam, Cambodia, North Korea and Pakistan who had more than 1,300. These Chinese Type 59s also showed up in Albania, Bangladesh, the Congo, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe and Iran. The Type 59 became the basis for the newer Types 69 and 79 MBTs.