T-62 Main Battle Tank 1965–2005

Osprey New Vanguard #158

by Steven J. Zaloga, Tony Bryan (Illustrator)

The Soviet Army hastily developed the T-62 in a struggle to compete against the rapid proliferation of NATO tanks in the 1960s. It was essentially a modification of the widely-manufactured T-55 tank with the addition of a new 115mm gun. Within the USSR itself, the T-62 was quickly superseded, but it was widely exported, becoming a critical component of the Egyptian and Syrian armies in the 1973 Yom Kippur conflict and heavily influenced later designs of the M1 Abrams and Challenger tanks.

In the first English-language history of this tank, Steven Zaloga examines the development of the T-62 using detailed combat descriptions to bring to life the operational history of this tank from the deserts of the Sinai to the harsh terrain of Afghanistan.

Genres: War

48 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 2009

About the author

Steven Zaloga is an author and defense analyst known worldwide for his articles and publications on military technology.  He has written over a hundred books on military technology and military history, including “Armored Thunderbolt: The US Army Sherman in World War II”, one of the most highly regarded histories of the Sherman Tank.  His books have been translated into Japanese, German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Russian. He was a special correspondent for Jane’s Intelligence Review and is on the executive board of the Journal of Slavic Military Studies and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. From 1987 through 1992, he was the writer/producer for Video Ordnance Inc., preparing their TV series Firepower.  He holds a BA in history from Union College and an MA in history from Columbia University.

Mr. Zaloga is also a noted scale armor modeler and is a host/moderator of the World War II Allied Discussion group at Missing-Lynx.com, a modelling website. He is a frequent contributor to the UK-based modeling magazine Military Modelling. He is a member of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society.

Reviews

[Mike O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

T-62 Main Battle Tank 1965-2005
Osprey Publishing
New Vanguard #158
ISBN:978 1 84603 390 2

This book covers one of the most prolific tanks of the Cold War era. It could be found not only in the elite Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, but in the Iraqi Army serving in the Iran/Iraq War, and the Middle East by both Egyptian and Syrian forces. As usual, Steven Zaloga does his excellent job of breaking down the history, evolution, design, and throwing in some combat information.
The artwork is really useful for anyone looking to paint up units of T-62’s. There is a bibliography, of little use to anyone who doesn’t read Russian. Overall, a really good book.

[David Burchill]

A

[Joe Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like your in a tank museum!

I gave this 5 stars, as the extensive exterior and interior pictures paint an interesting picture if this tank, and the color plates are great for those seeking to model or game with this cold warrior.

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insight into the T-62 and its development as well as the politicking of Soviet arms manufacturer. Pictures and paintings are excellent as well.