In Development: T-72A Overhaul

Commanders!

Some time ago, we’ve implemented another round of our major model overhauls featuring the T-72B MBT and today we’d like to tell you more about the changes we made to its older counterpart, the T-72A and its multiple variants that are available in the game.

The T-72A is the first major upgrade over the original T-72 Ural. The biggest difference was the addition of thick composite inlays to its turret. The composite armor elements gave the front turret its notable "cheeks" (by which it can generally be recognized), leading to the western nickname of this model: Dolly Parton. Additional improvements included an upgraded 125mm smoothbore gun, upgraded optics, a new engine and several other upgrades. It’s one of the most common T-72 models still in service also thanks to the fact it was widely exported and its export versions were even license-produced abroad in large numbers. You can read more about it in our dedicated article.

Regarding its Armored Warfare model, the biggest problem it currently faces is the turret shape. The turret of this very old model is based on the earlier T-72 Ural and therefore lacks the typically wide frontal inlays. In this sense, the T-72A model somewhat resembles the T-72M, an export version of the T-72A without the composite turret inlays.

In Update 0.35, we’ll be correcting that mistake and will be giving the T-72A its proper turret. The vehicle will represent a mid-1980s configuration as seen on the photo above. Plus the later ERA kit, of course. Let’s start with the basics. The textures have been of course upgraded and the hull was properly remodeled to make it look the part. You can clearly see the difference:

The ERA kit has been updated as well and now features the correct layout:

As for the turret, we’ve made it protrude more to the back and corrected the shape based on its real-life specs, as you can see below. The turret also received improved optics models (we have modeled the “trench” for the laser rangefinder) and a heavy anti-aircraft machinegun facing backwards:

The smoke grenades launchers are now full. Note also the new “armor” on the top of the turret. That’s not really an extra armor plate, that’s a radiation liner. Note also how the stock variant now has proper stowage spaced instead of the snorkel tube on the left side of the turret with the tube being moved to the back of the vehicle:

We updated the engine deck and the rear of the model.

And, last but definitely not least, the T-72A now features a shell ejection animation, much like the T-72B:

These changes will of course affect the appearance of various Premium T-72AV variants based on the T-72A model:

The changes also do affect the separate vehicles based on the T-72A hull and turret. In this instance, the T-72M2 Wilk:

That’s it for today’s article. When it comes to Update 0.35, we’re still not done with Soviet and Russian vehicles yet, but that’s a story for another time. In the meanwhile, we hope you’ll enjoy this update and, as always:

See you on the battlefield!