Tamiya 1/35 Iosef Stalin 3 (IS3)

[RangerNeil]

Was going to do the Landrover but it only comes with sand tyres. So if I go for the ones that served in the Radfan I need to get a good match to the pink because I am crap at mixing colours. Humbrol do a gloss pink - 057. Had Tamiya provided Bar Grip tyres too.I could have used the European theatre colours. So until I can sort either paint or tyres it was down to either the IL-2 ,or JS3. Storage dictated it be the JS3.



History:
The IS-3, originally known as Object 703, is a Soviet heavy tank developed in late 1944. Its semi-hemispherical cast turret (resembling that of an upturned soup bowl) became the hallmark of post-war Soviet tanks. Its pike nose design would also be mirrored by other tanks of the IS tank family such as the IS-7 and T-10.
Produced too late to see combat in World War II, the IS-3 participated in the Berlin Victory Parade of 1945 and scared the hell out of the Western officials, the Soviet invasion of Hungary, the Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, and one was used during the early stages of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2014!

Instructions












Sprues








Decals

[digger303]

[RangerNeil]

First operation - Prime everything on the sprues:


Then, once the primer has dried, paint the inner faces of the wheels in 4BO Green and assemble them:
3 return rollers, 7 road wheels, 2 drive sprockets per side


Followed by 4 fuel tanks which need the seams sanded smooth and the back panel of the hull.


This completes the first two steps on the instruction sheet.

[aur0ra145]

Looks like this build is on track!

[RangerNeil]

Looks like this build is on track!

Doh!!!
Being pedantic its not on tracks - yet!!
Trying to decide whether to use the kit plastic band tracks 'cos thats how Mr Tamiya's people designed it - or to go for a set of Friuhl metal links. Which will make it VERY heavy and get me a bad case of perforated thumbs and fingers!!! Decisions, decisions........

But back to the actual build - the return rollers, road wheels and drive sprockets, back plate and fuel tanks are painted and ready for a final spray finish:


And the lower hull is completed to section 3 of the instructions:

[Stokesy44]

Blimey you're rocketing along.

Its an absolute brute of a tabk, isnt it.

As for the reasons for not building the Landy - didn't believe a word of it

[RangerNeil]

Blimey you're rocketing along.

Its an absolute brute of a tabk, isnt it.

As for the reasons for not building the Landy - didn't believe a word of it

Its all true guv!!

Its odd 'cos I built the Pinkie when Tamiya first released it and I know I had the closest match to Radfan Pink.... Damned if I can remember what it was now - other than a Humbrol enamel.... it was 56+ years ago so I can be excused....
Good news is I've got hold of a second one to do in European colours - just need to find a set of 1/35 7.50x16 wheels with bar grip tyres.

[Kevthemodeller]

Its the IS3

Off to a good start

[Stokesy44]

Its the IS3

Off to a good start

Looks like a cowpat on wheels. Just sayin.

[Kevthemodeller]

Looks like a cowpat on wheels. Just sayin.

[RangerNeil]

Lower hull has the final, air brushed finish and is ready for the next assembly stage.


Stage 5 is complete save for the track links on the lower hulls glacis plate - these have had a coat of Dark Iron which is drying then a bit of rust will be applied. All road wheels touch the ground - which is always a bonus - just need to add a bit of "silvering" to the wheels where the track and its horns will have rubbed.




Next step in the build process transfers attention to the upper hull so this has had a brushed coat of 4BO ready for the assembly operations.

[Stokesy44]

Nice work. Moving along swiftly.