Uncle Joe's Victory Tank

Historical Background

The KV series of heavy tanks, while having excellent protection, was criticised by its crews for its lack of mobility and having an armament similar to the medium-sized T-34. Even the 'fast' KV-1S version was on par in capabilities with the T-34 despite being more expensive. High Command almost cancelled the development and building of heavy tanks but when a Tiger I was captured in January 1943, a decision was made to build a new heavy tank designated Obyekt 237. As a result of the Battle of Kursk, an order was made to re-arm tanks with more powerful armament. As Obyekt 237 was still under development, a stop-gap vehicle, the KV-85 was created, armed with a D-5T 85-mm gun. At the same time, SKB-2 design bureau introduced the KV-13 tank which was rejected on grounds of reliability, protection and the inefficient two-man turret. The KV-13 design however formed the basis for the IS-85 ('IS'= Iosef Stalin, as Kliment Voroshilov has fallen from political favour). The IS-85 was later redesignated IS-1.

The IS-85/IS-1 entered service in October 1943 but the issue with the KV-1/T-34 appeared again, this time concerning the 85-mm gun used by the IS-1 and the T-34/85 (and the attendant issues of having poorer mobility while having only slightly better protection). However, as the IS-1 has a larger turret than the KV series, larger guns can be mounted on the IS. Starting in November 1943, tests were conducted using 100mm BS-3 gun (as the IS-100) and the A-19 122mm gun (as the IS-122). The BS-3 has better armour penetration (185mm compared to 160mm for the A-19) but less useful HE rounds. Furthermore it was a relatively new weapon with uncertain supply at the time. After testing both guns, the 122mm-armed IS-122 was selected, primarily because of the availability of the A-19 gun and its better performance against fortifications although it has a lower muzzle velocity (hence lower armour penetration). The IS-122 was later redesignated IS-2 as a security measure. The A-19 was modified with a double-baffle muzzle brake after a gun exploded during trials, nearly killing Marshal Kliment Voroshilov who was attending the trials. The redesigned gun was designated D-25T. Apart from lower muzzle velocity, the ammunition was of separate loading type, allowing a rate of fire of 1-2 rounds per minute. When the manual screw breech was replaced with a semi-automatic dropped breech, the rate of fire increased, to a paltry 2-3 rounds per minute. The A-19 can penetrate a Panther's turret front at 1500 meters while the D-25T can penetrate the more heavily armoured King Tiger's turret front from the same range.  

The IS-2's glacis plate, while still of  the 'stepped' design (in its early version) was sloped and thickly armoured (120mm@30° and 60mm@72°) offering greater protection while saving weight. The glacis plate can resist 88mm AP shell at 1,000 meters. The tank was powered by a V2 12-cylinder diesel engine producing 600 hp. This allowed the 46-tonne tank to move at 23 mph with a range of 150 miles. The main gun featured a thick mantlet and was provided with 28 rounds (due to their size and having separate charges). Two 7.62mm DT machine guns formed the secondary armament - one mounted co-axially with the main gun with another at the rear face of the turret. Later models were equipped with a DShK 12.7mm machine gun on the commander's cupola for anti-aircraft defence. The crew consists of four individuals: driver, commander, gunner and loader. The IS-2 entered production in November 1943 at Chelyabinsk Tankoviy Zavod (ChTZ) with a number of them being IS-1s being brought to IS-2 standard. Starting from January 1944, an improved version was introduced. Simply known as IS-2 Model 1944, the version featured a uniformly-sloped glacis plate, D-25T gun and the DShK AA MG. In order to keep up with demand, a second production was established at the Ural's'kiy Zavod Tyazhelogo Mashinostroyeniya (UZTM). UZTM-built IS-2s can be differentiated by having two-piece welded front while the ChKZ version has a one-piece cast nose. 

IS-2s were deployed with separate heavy tank regiments, usually equipped with 21 tanks each. They were used to reinforce the most important attack sectors in major offensives and were tactically used as a breakthrough tank. They are used to support infantry, using their massive gun to destroys bunkers, strongpoints, crew-served weapons and other sot targets. The Stalins first saw action in February 1944 at Korsun Chevchenkovsky (Cherkassy Pocket), where the 72nd Regiment claimed the destruction of 41 Tigers and Ferdinands (the latter were probably mostly Marders and Sturmgeschutzes) for the loss of eight of their number. In the North, the IS-2 was used during Operation Bagration where on 13 August 1944 where 11 IS-2 of the 71st Independent Heavy Tank brigade stopped an attack by 14 King Tigers of the schwere Heeres-Panzer Abteilung 501. The battle took place at less than 650 yards where the Germans cannot exploit the long range of their 88s while the IS-2s were well-protected at the same distance. The IS-2s continued to be used until the final battle in Berlin where the Soviets were spearheaded by IS-2s of the 7th and 11th Independent Guards Heavy Tank Brigades, 351st, 394th and 396th Regiments, 362nd and 399th regiments of the 1st Guards Tank Army, 347th Regiment of the 2nd Guards Tank Army (part of the 1st Belorussian Front under Marshal Georgi K. Zhukov) and the 383rd and the 384th Regiments of the 3rd Guards Tank Army (part of the 1st Ukrainian front under Marshal Ivan S. Koniev).  

Post-war, the IS-2 was used by Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary. The first two countries used IS-2s as early as 1945, taking part in the drive towards Germany while Hungary used theirs when supressing the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Cuba, China and North Korea also received the tank although it was unclear whether the IS-2s were used during the Korean War. And despite the introduction of more modern tanks such as the IS-3, T-10, T-54/55 and T-62, the IS-2 remained in Red Army service (albeit as reserve), taking part in maneuvers as late as 1982. They were officially retired in 1995.

The Kit

Tamiya came out with their version of the IS-2 (as JS-2) in 2007, depicting the 'straight-nose', ChKZ-built variant. The parts are spread among four dark green and two brown sprues, a lower tub, a small stainless steel PE fret, two lengths of vinyl tracks, the ubiquitous poly caps, a length of string and the usual decal sheet. The two brown sprues hold the separate link tracks and a single-piece bottom run; also included are jigs to form the saggy upper run of the tracks. Made of plastic, the jigs require modellers choosing the link-and-length option to exercise care when cementing the track runs together. The parts are well-moulded with no flash and minimal ejector pin marks in obvious places. Cast steel texture is there although some modellers may want to enhance it further. Two figures are included but no DShK machinegun is included as an option to mount on the commander's cupola. Decals provide markings for four tanks:

- 432, 7th Independent Guards Heavy Tank Brigade, Berlin, April 1945
- 13, 88th Independent Guards Heavy Tank Brigade, Berlin, April 1945
- 113, Czechoslovak 1st Tank Brigade, Prague 1945
- 424, Polish 4th Heavy Tank Regiment, April 1945, Germany

The air ID white bands for tanks 432 and 13 need to be painted by the modeller and Tamiya indicate the width and placement for them in the instructions.

Construction

While instructions have you start by assembling the wheels and adding spare track links on the front and rear hull panels, I started by assembling the lower hull first. The suspension arms have mould lines along the part which easily scraped off with a sharp hobby knife. Other parts were glued on to the hull before tackling the suspension. Although they are positively located, Tamiya still provided a jig to align the suspension. The hull was then painted, together with the still-on the-sprue wheels. The latter were then cut off the sprue and assembled, followed by a touching-up of all the sprue scars. Graphite from a 2B pencil was then applied on the contact surface of the wheels to create a metallic sheen. As mentioned before, Tamiya provided two types of tracks - single-piece glueable vinyl or separate-link. I chose the latter as it allows track sags found on many Stalin tanks. The tracks were then assembled with the upper run being made using the supplied jig. I used Tamiya Extra Thin Cement for this job and since the jig is made of plastic, I followed Tamiya's advice and applied masking tape on the jig. Attention also need to be given to the direction of the tracks. One note though, the instructions are one track link short; a toothless link (Part D3) should be inserted between a toothed link (Part D1) and the four-piece link (Part D4) for the lower rear run of the tracks. After the cement has dried, the tracks were removed for painting

Once complete, attention was given to the upper hull. First holes were drilled into the upper hull. For the headlight, a different position was noted, should one wants to build the Polish JS-2. And unlike their older Sherman kits, Tamiya provided the sponsons, so no see-through effect here! The front fenders have ejector pin marks and these should be filled as they are quite visible. The provided radiator intake grilles were made of stainless steel so it was a bit harder (but not that much) to remove from the fret than brass PE. The main engin grille is plastic can consists of two parts - one already moulded with the rear hull panel. The separate was fitted to the hull with no problem but a bit of alignment need to be done to ensure proper fit. The frontal area of the hull was moulded with cast metal texture which I enhanced by stippling liquid cement all over it. While all the smaller parts and sub-assemblies were cemented at this stage, I left the headlight, the rear tow clasps and the two-man saw off, to avoid breakage and to ease painting.

Moving on to the turret, the upper and lower halves were cemented together. I started by enhancing the turret surface texture in the same way as was done with the hull. I however left the mantlet cover as it is. I also enhance the torch-cut effect by scoring the relevant surfaces with a hobby knife. The halves were joined at along the weld lines as in the real tank. However I weren't quite satisfied with the moulded weld beads. I took lengths of plastic rod and cemented them on the join lines and afterwards drenched them with Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. Once they have become soft, I pressed a small screwdriver to create weld beads. In the end however they look overscale - I should have used strectched sprue! The gun barrel was assembled, again care has to be taken to avoid gaps. The rear machinegun and the tankovy desant handrails were left off as I fear I might break them during painting. The loader's hatch was cemented in the closed position as I only intend to use the commander's figure. 

Painting and Markings

The model was painted in Tamiya's version of 4BO Green - equal parts of XF-58 Olive Green and XF-4 Yellow Green. Before applying the decals, the model was given a green filter. I then applied the markings as per the instructions. For this build I choose markings from the 7th Independent Guards Tank Brigade, Berlin 1945. Mr Mark Softer is a must here as the surface has become more uneven. I then place Tamiya tapes around the turret to mask the demarcation line of the ID stripes. After making markings using a pencil, the tape was removed. The ID stripes (to avoid friendly fire from Western Allied aircraft) was then painted freehand. I also include some 'dripping' effect.The tank number decals however look a bit artificial next to the ID stripes, so I applied some Flat White over them. The model is then given a wash using the usual wash mixture.

Finishing

Finally, as usual the more vulnerable parts can now be permanently fixed to the model. I started at the hull by affixing the headlight (too bad the glass part was not made from clear plastic), the saw and the spade and the tow cables. The latter was painted silver and washed with AK Interactive Track Wash. The spare tracks were then mounted and given the same treatment as the main tracks. Moving to the turret, the rear-mounted machinegun was first assembled and then glued to the turret. I originally intended to have the MG to be moveable but some stray extra thin cement managed to find their way into the 'ball' mounting, jamming it. The handrails were then cemented to the turret. However, in my eagerness to enhance the cast texture, the faint placement markings were obliterated and I have to use the decal placement diagram to fix the handrails in place! Also during the handling of the turret, the commander's seat was knocked off and was eagerly gobbled by the lurking carpet monster. I have to cut a piece of stock plastic to compensate (it was inside the turret and can be further hidden by the figure, so no need to fabricate the seat shape).

Now it is time for some weathering. I mixed Tamiya X-19 Smoke and X-27 Red Clear and apllied them over the external fuel tanks. At first glance, it looked quite gruesome, as if blood has been spilled!  Tamiya Weathering Master Rust and Soot was then applied at the exhausts. Afterwards I applied an overall dust layer using heavily thinned Tamiya XF-57. A slightly thicker mixture was then selectively applied. The 'spilled fuel' mix was then reapplied, to simulate newer spills. Afterwards the lower hull and tracks were liberally covered with Mig Productions Rubble Dust pigment. After it has dried, the excess was removed using a stiff brush and selective removal (mainly on the tracks towards the front of the tank) using enamel thinner.  The commander's figure was painted the usual way and placed inside 'his' hatch. And, while rummaging through my spares box, I found a PPSh-41 sub-machinegun (probably from an old Zvezda/Italeri ZiS-3 kit. The PPSh was without either the drum or box magazine, so I cut off the magazine from and old Tamiya M2 carbine and stuck it inside the magazine recess. Gaps were covered using superglue. And that concludes this build!

Conclusion

The Tamiya kit of the JS-2 was produced with the same attention to ease of build as with its Military Miniatures stablemates. Detail-wise it is still adequate to satisfy most modelers. The cast texture that came with the kit also adequate although I think that the weld beads round the circumference of the turret should be more more beefed up. But the best thing about this kit is the inclusion of the track-forming jig - it certainly helped as forming the track sag by myself produces rather unconvincing results sometimes.