SovietTenkDestroyer

Edited

i have actually already seen that document. It is typical for documents on foreign tanks to be inaccurate in some places when they have never acquired any of the equipment themselves. But there could have been testing with those the laser range finder on the TR-77-580. it wouldn't surprise me. There is just no evidence for it, But my main point was that those pictures are TR-85-800s. Just compare the two.

I see no reason to think they're TR-77-580s. I haven't seen any that TR-77-580s looks like that. However, there is one piece of evidence that suggests that those pictures are TR-85-800s. The first two road wheels are further spaced apart compared to the 4 behind them that are clustered up. Also, the roadwheels are the type that aren't spoked. Also, those grids on the front hull are also another givaway. Compare this TR-85-800 with the ones you posted. I ripped this out from the MapN RO's facebook. It is clearly a TR-85-800

I heard from dubious sources that the TR-77-580 with the elongated turret was some sort of early prototype which is possible though it's a bit hard to believe. There is also this TR-77-580 with the raised engine deck which I believe was made so it can use the 830 hp MTU engine. You can see that the engine deck is raised. It could be an early iteration of the TR-77-580M1, as you put it. I do have an issue with the TR-77-580M. That is a TR-85-800. The engine looks like it, it has the laser range finder, side skirts, road wheels, etc. I don't believe any TR-77-580s ever received the laser range finder that were in service. Even the M1 doesn't have the range finder. There is a Romanian propaganda movie/documentary??? that has TR-85-800s. Unfortunately, the soundtrack was copyrighted so we can't hear the movie but you can still see it, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTVFZcbq9Bk

I'm a huge fan of Romanian tanks and I have some info you may be interested in. My friend bought a copy of Jurnal 1978-1988 for me by General Tiberiu Urdăreanu. The earliest mentions of the TR-125 originated in late 1978, early 1979. This could be the fault of the editors though. I would like to see your sources because I'm a very skeptical guy if you wouldn't mind. Perhaps we could chat more about this in private? Lastly, the term "TR-77-800" seems a bit dubious. Mind if you can share the source? Also, the pictures are missing