T-44, 71ST TANK REGIMENT, 33RD GUARDS MECHANIZED DIVISION, BUDAPEST,
NOVEMBER 1956
This tank is typical of Cold War patterns in overall camouflage green (zashchitniiy zeleno) an
extremely dark green when new; a US match is FS 34098. Tactical markings usually included a
three-digit tactical number variously called the boevoy nomer (combat number) or bortovoy
takticheskiy nomer (side tactical number). The Soviet Army intentionally avoided a standardized
system and encouraged variation between divisions for counter-intelligence reasons. Generally,
the three numbers indicated battalion, company and individual tank, but a common alternative
was to use the first number to indicate the company within a regiment, and the next two numbers
sequentially as the tanks within the company. The red star marking is actually unusual on Soviet
Army tanks, except for in parades.