Trumpeter Soviet JS-4 Heavy Tank. 1:35

[Shar2]

Soviet JS-4 Heavy Tank

Trumpeter 1:35

History
There are 2 different tanks known as IS-4. One of these (Object 245) was an IS-2 rearmed with a long 100mm D-10T cannon. The other IS-4 was a new vehicle projected by LKZ in parallel with the IS-3 (Object 703) by the same design and development bureau. For this second IS-4 the IS-2 hull was lengthened, with an extra set of road wheels added and an improved engine. Both hull and turret armour were increased. Several alternative armaments were explored in paper studies but ultimately the IS-2's original 122mm gun was retained. An effort was also made to make use of technical data derived from study of the German wartime Panzer V Panther tank, which influenced the layout of the second IS-4's engine cooling system. The tank was approved for mass production from 1947 to 1949 but due to disappointing speed and mobility only 250 were built. Most of these were transferred to the Russian Far East. In 1949, production was cancelled and later these tanks were removed from service.

The Model
This large tank arrives in the standard sturdy top opening box with an artists rendition of the tank in service rolling along a battlefield. Inside, there are thirteen sprues of light grey styrene, separate upper and lower hull, plus separate upper and lower turret parts. There are also ten sprues of brown styrene for the individual track links, a small fret of etched brass, a length of brass wire, a metal barrel and a small sheet of decals. The moulded details are up to Trumpeters usual high standards when it comes to their armoured kits. Everything is very crisp, flash and imperfection free. There aren’t the huge numbers of parts as found in some of the latest kits, which can be rather daunting, but certainly enough to make a detailed model out of the box. Whilst the tracks come as individual links, their size makes the fairly easy to work with and shouldn’t cause too many problems for the average modeller.

The build begins with the construction of the two idlers, two drive sprockets, road wheels, (14 off), and return rollers, (six off). The axle mounts and torsion bump stops are then fitted to the lower hull, followed by the torsion units themselves. Three return roller axles are fitted per side whilst the idler axles also have tensioning units fitted. Once the drive covers are fitted to the rear, the sprockets and other wheels can be attached. At this point in the instructions the tracks are attached, but they can be left off until later in the build should you so wish. There is a clear diagram showing how the tracks are built up and this should be followed carefully to get as realistic look as possible.

With the lower hull pretty much complete it’s time to attach the single piece upper hull, followed by the drivers’ periscopes and cover, and there is an optional intake and grille that can be fitted depending on whether it’s a prototype or production machine, check your references first though. The large track guards are now attached and detailed with photo etched straps on the front mudguards. The side plates and mudflaps, fore and aft are now fitted followed by more detail parts, such as the pioneer tools, gun travel lock, towing hawsers and towing eyes. The unditching log is attached to the right hand side between the hawsers and there are two external fuel tanks attached to the rear hull. The engine deck has a number of brackets and other fittings added. The sub-assemblies for the two double external tanks are built up from the tank bodies, end caps, support brackets and handles, the completed items are then fitted to the rear of the tank on each track guard. Meanwhile the engine deck receives the photo etched grilles, with added PE surrounds which cover the intakes. Five storage boxes are now assembled and fitted in their respective positions around the upper hull and there is also what looks like an oil tank that is fitted on the right hand front track guard. The engine cooling fans are covered over with PE grilles and the exhaust s are fitted, one per side.

It’s now time to work on the turret, with the fitting of the commanders hatch surround and an air vent surround next to it, to the upper turret section. Before fitting the lower turret section there are a number of periscopes, vent grilles and hatch handles to be fitted. The gun trunnion piece is sandwiched between the upper and lower turret parts and the commanders hatch, with added periscope is fitted, along with two PE grab rails. Five hand rails are fitted to each side of the turret and the mantle is attached to the trunnion. The metal barrel of the main gun is now attached, along with the co-axial machine gun barrel, AA machine gun scarf ring, periscope covers, vent covers and turret lifting hooks. The large 14.5mm AA machine gun is assembled form nine parts if you include the two parts for the ammunition box and when completed is fitted to the scarf ring mount. Lastly the two piece muzzle brake and trunnion cover are fitted completing the build.

Decals
The small decal sheet is for only one scheme for an overall green tank and comprises of the seemingly standard Russian shield, the tank number 279 x 2 for the example on the box top and a selection of other numbers should you wish to make your own up.

Conclusion
Trumpeter seems to be really digging around for Russian/Soviet vehicles at the moment as more and more are being released. I hadn’t known about this particular tank until I started researching it for this review. It certainly is a large and imposing vehicle and will look good when built. It’s not a very complicated build, with the exception of the tracks, so would be good start point for anyone wishing to take on a larger project. Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Panzer Vor!!!]

Interesting I didn't realise so many heavy tanks had been built.

The banner on the decal sheet indicates a guards unit which are consider the elite .

[bootneck]

Off topic but is there much difference between this JS-4 and the JS-3? I remember Airfix producing the JS-3 in 1:72 scale (when I were a little lad in Accrington) so just interested.

Nice review Dave, of a kit I wasn't aware of.

Mike

[Shar2]

The JS-3 and JS-4 were designed and built side by side, but I believe the 4 had an extra road wheel per side, so was slightly longer.

[SleeperService]

The hull and turret were completely different. The JS-3 turret as a dome much like the T-55 and the hull was sharply angled hence it's nickname of 'Pike' I retained the running gear and engine layout of the JS-2.

As stated above the JS-4 was a parallel development that upgraded the JS-2 running gear.