Soviet Infantry Fighting Vehicle BMP-1
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Tank Reference Photos: Every Hatch, Every Rivet

Our Tanks collection holds 59 packs, each one a walkaround of a real vehicle: road wheels, hatches, engine decks, turret rings and the welds between them. These tank reference photos range from 34 photos of a T-72 to 971 photos of a single T-62. Start with the T-62, the Flakpanzer Gepard (106 photos) or the open-topped Australian 2pdr Tank Attack Carrier (94 photos).

42 products

Find your tank by nation and era

Each group below has its own page with the full list of packs:

  • German WWII: Tiger, Panther, four Panzer IV versions, two Hetzers and the Panzer 38(t). See German WW2 tank reference.
  • Soviet: T-54M, T-62, T-72 and the BMP, BTR and MT-LB families. See Soviet armor.
  • Western armor in the Cold War: M47, M48 and M60A1 Pattons, Leopard 1 and Leopard AS1. See Cold War armor.
  • British and Commonwealth: Churchill variants, Centurion, Chieftain and armored cars. See British armour.
  • US WWII: the M24 Chaffee and the vehicles that served with it. See US WW2 vehicles.

Self-propelled and towed guns have their own page: artillery reference.

How many photos do you need?

Photo counts vary a lot, and the right pack depends on your project:

  • For overall shape and a quick paint guide, a 34-photo pack such as the Soviet T-72 is enough.
  • For a detailed build with aftermarket parts, a pack of 60 to 120 photos covers most panels. The M41 has 66 photos, shot in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Flakpanzer Gepard has 106.
  • For every bolt and fitting, the T-62 pack has 971 photos at 4288 × 2848.
  • For one tank family in many forms, the Centurion pack has 315 photos in 8 sets: gun tanks, 2 recovery vehicles, a bridgelayer, a dozer tank and a driver training tank.

Unusual subjects worth a look

Some packs show vehicles you will rarely find documented anywhere else:

  • The Japanese Type 95 light tank was recovered in relatively good condition and still carries real rust. That makes it reference for weathering as well as shape.
  • The Australian 2pdr Tank Attack Carrier is an open vehicle with a 2-pounder gun mounted in the back. Because it is open, all the parts are exposed.
  • The Leopard 1 pack shows a tank fitted with a mine plow, a fitting most kits do not include.

For game artists and illustrators

Tank reference is not only for modelers. A game artist building a tank in 3D needs the same panel-by-panel coverage, plus resolution for textures. Most packs here were shot at 6000 × 4000 or 6240 × 4160. The license allows you to build your own 3D models and textures from the photos. Illustrators can use the packs to check perspective, track sag and how light falls across sloped armor.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free tank pack?

Yes. The Turret Assembly pack is free. It has 27 photos of a turret removed from an armored vehicle for repair, with its inner structure exposed. It is an Editorial pack, so it is for reference use only. The cheapest paid tank pack is the Jagdpanzer 38 at $2.99.

What happens after I buy?

You download the full-resolution files. Your license never expires, and it includes free updates to the packs you buy.

Can I use the photos in a commercial game or book illustration?

Yes. Every license is royalty free and covers unlimited projects. Studios with up to 10 artists need a Small Studio license, and larger teams need a Large Studio license.

Are these the same vehicles as in wartime photos?

They are preserved museum and display vehicles. Many have been repainted or restored. Use them for construction detail and wear, and use period photos to check a specific vehicle's markings.