Whether that is true remains to be seen.
When the Soviet Union found something that worked well, it produced a lot of it.
That helps explain why the Ilyushin Il-2 was the most-produced fighter plane of all time with some 36,183 built.
Polish T-55A tanks on the streets during Martial Law in Poland in the 1980s — perhaps among the last of the MBTs produced.
By contrast, the British only manufactured 22,685Supermarine Spitfire/Seafire fighters.
In terms of tanks, it might be easy to assume that theT-34 earns the top title.
That would be wrong, however.
The Soviet repression of the Hungarian Revolution saw T-54 tanks patrolling the streets of Budapest. This marked the first time Western observers saw the MBTs.
Despite its innovations, the T-44 was essentially an interim design.
But it led the way for what was to come next.
It was first observed in the West in 1960, and those enhancements were quickly noted.
This right, front view of a Soviet T-54 tank was taken during a Russian training exercise. Image: NARA
It included a more powerful engine, which provided greater agility, but also considerable endurance.
Soviet production ran from 1946 to 1981, while Poland produced the tank from 1956 to 1979.
Czechoslovakias manufacturing run lasted from 1957 to 1983.
An Egyptian T-54/55 tank comes ashore from the utility landing craft 1644 (LCU-1644) during an amphibious assault in support of the multinational joint service Exercise Bright Star ’85. Image: NARA
In addition, some 7,000 pop in 59s were built between 1959 and 1985.
Over the history of the two vehicles, the match-up ping-ponged as to which would prove dominant in combat.
The M48 and the improved T-55 were considered evenly matched.
This Defense Intelligence Agency photo of the left front view of a Soviet T-54 main battle tank equipped with an infrared night-driving device. Image: NARA
A left front view of a Soviet T-55 main battle tank taken in the 1980s. Image: NARA
The Chinese Type 59 was a licensed copy of the T-54. A number are seen here participating in the People’s Republic of China’s 10th National Day parade in 1959.
A Soviet T-55 medium battle tank at the National Training Center. The tank was “acquired” by the United States for examination and training. Image: NARA
Right front view of a Soviet T-55 medium tank in Peru. The photo was originally published inSoviet Military Power, 1983, page 90.
Members of the Croatian Defense Council Army fire the 12.7mm machine gun mounted on a T-55 main battle tank. This was during a three-day exercise.Image: SSgt. Kim Price/U.S.M.C.
A destroyed Iraqi T-55 tank along the highway between Kuwait City and Basra during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.Image: TSgt. Joe Coleman/U.S.A.F.
An Iraqi T-55 main battle tank burns after an attack by the 1st United Kingdom Armored Division during Operation Desert Storm. Image: NARA
Local residents walk past a T-55 main battle tank stranded outside the Presidential Palace in Ethiopia following a battle between rebel forces and the government. Image: NARA
This Iraqi T-55 Medium Battle Tank burns near the An Nu’maniyah Bridge along Highway 27 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, April 2, 2003.Image: Sgt. Paul Anstine/U.S.M.C.
