60TP Lewandowski – Poland’s vision of a heavy tank

The history of the 60TP Lewandowski project

The 1950s were a period in which the arms race entered a decisive phase. While the Soviet Union was developing the IS line of tanks and the West was working on projects like the Conqueror or the M103, bold visions were also taking shape within the walls of the Military University of Technology in Warsaw.

The tank design, known today as the 60TP, was developed by officer cadet Ryszard Lewandowski in 1956. It was a diploma thesis intended to address the need for a Polish heavy tank capable of confronting the most modern NATO and USSR designs. Although the project never reached the prototype stage, the surviving sketches and calculations show remarkable engineering maturity. Lewandowski designed a vehicle weighing around 60 tons (hence the name), meant to combine powerful armor with devastating firepower.

Inspirations and design assumptions

When analyzing the 60TP, it’s hard not to notice the influence of the Soviet tank-building school, yet the Polish design had unique features. The main inspirations were likely designs such as the IS-7 or Object 277, but Lewandowski went a step further in terms of ergonomics and overall shaping of the hull.

Key components of the project included:

• Armor: A cast turret with exceptionally thick walls and a spherical shape was intended to promote shell ricochets. The hull was designed using the so-called “pike nose” (though less aggressive than on the IS-3), increasing the effective thickness of the frontal armor.

• Armament: The plan was to use a large-caliber gun (up to 152 mm), which at the time placed this vehicle in the category of bunker busters and the heaviest enemy tanks.

• Mobility: Despite the enormous weight, the assumptions called for a high-power engine to ensure respectable off-road performance.

60TP Lewandowski in World of Tanks

For millions of players around the world, the World of Tanks 60TP is not only a historical curiosity but, above all, a powerful Tier X tank, awarded for progressing through the entire Polish tech tree. Introducing this machine into the game was a breakthrough moment—this is true Polish power, which instantly became competition for veterans such as the E-100 or the 60TP.

As the top of the tree, the 60TP defines the playstyle of Polish heavy tanks. It’s a brawler (a close-quarters tank) that feels best on the front line, making use of terrain features.

Strengths and weaknesses of the tank in-game

In a virtual battle, the 60TP is a fearsome machine, but one that demands skill from the player.

Strengths:

• 152 mm gun: This is the vehicle’s absolute asset. High damage per shot (750 alpha) lets you trade favorably.

• HE shells: Although the game mechanics have changed, high-explosive shells of this caliber can still deal painful damage to lightly armored targets or finish off an enemy on “a sliver of HP.”

• Turret armor and gun depression: The 60TP plays great “on the turret” (hull-down). A solid turret combined with good gun depression (-8 degrees) makes it hard to penetrate from behind ridgelines.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of penetration: Standard shells may struggle to penetrate the toughest opponents (like the Maus or Type 5 Heavy), forcing you to aim for weak spots.

• Accuracy: The gun can be temperamental. Even though it’s fairly accurate for this caliber, a fully aimed reticle is a must.

• Turret “pots”: An experienced opponent will aim for the commander’s hatches, dealing damage to crew members and modules.

60TP as a collector’s model

The impressive bulk of the 60TP practically begs to be brought from the computer screen to a collector’s shelf. Meeting these expectations is the Reobrix brand, offering an officially World of Tanks-licensed set: Reobrix 77036 60TP Lewandowski Tank.

This isn’t an ordinary toy, but an advanced tank model made up of as many as 1128 pieces. That number of parts allowed the designers to faithfully recreate the massive silhouette of the Polish giant at 1:28 scale. The finished model impresses with details—from the distinctive “pike nose” on the hull to the powerful, spherical turret.

What sets this set apart from others?

• Moving parts: The model features a fully rotating turret (360 degrees), a movable gun barrel, and an opening engine cover, letting you peek into the machine’s “heart.”

• High build quality: Instead of fragile paper stickers, high-quality prints (pad printing) are used here, significantly improving the model’s aesthetics and durability.

• Bonuses for players: As an officially WoT-licensed product, the box also includes bonus codes to redeem in-game—an ideal blend of the virtual world with a real-life hobby.

Building the 60TP from Reobrix bricks is an excellent way to engage with the “paper history” of Polish armor. For military enthusiasts, it can become a decoration for any tank commander’s desk.