Two Iosif Stalin 2s (IS-2) - Russian Heavy Tank - 1/48 Tamiya & 1/72 Italeri *Finished* and in the Gallery + now with Vignette base!

[PlaStix]

A lovely model, I really like that. Can't help thinking from your pictures that it's a massive cannon with a gratuitously ugly tank stuck on the back

Hi Foxbat and thank you for your comments.............and I have to agree!!! Although I have to say it's growing on me!

looks great

Thank you.

Looks awesome.....Personally I'd be tempted to let more of that enormous barrel overhang the base, firstly to give you more room behind the tank for figures (the safest place around a gun like that) and secondly to emphasise just what a monster of a gun it really was!

PS - Did I mention that the IS-2 has a really BIG gun?

Thank you Sarge - that does sound like a good idea about the positioning although I haven't chosen which figures to use yet - been to busy building the tanks!

Right - modellingwise this weekend was more about starting work on the 1/72 Italeri IS-2:

This kit was kindly donated by Sgt.Squarehead when I first signed up for this GB and hadn't got any Russian armour kits to build. Since then I have acquired a couple - one of which is the 1/48 version of the IS-2 which is now complete - I'll post some photos in the Gallery later.

First up - I deviated from Italeri's instructions and fitted the lower hull sides to the hull tub:

Italeri suggest fitting the hull sides once the running gear and tracks have been fitted but I'd prefer to do it my way - which I think is the more usual way.

Next I cut the running gear parts away from the sprues but left some sprue bits attached (where I could) so I had something to hold while painting them:

Then it was a case of getting some paint on - Humbrol 102 - Army Green - applied by flat brushes:

That is where I got to on Saturday.

On Sunday I first decided that I needed to do some work on the top run of the tracks. A distinctive feature on the IS-2's tracks was the sag between the return rollers. Italeri only provide the top runs as straight pieces - I decided some work needed to be done - I lined up the top run with the return roller axles and did some careful bending: - first one:

.....and then the second:

My only concern is that these may now be slightly shorter overall so I will need to be careful when fitting the tracks.

Next - having seen the damage Sarge recently inflicted on the fenders of his builds I figured I ought to do the same. This is how they looked before:

.....and this is after:

I also attacked the rear fenders:

I think they'll be okay once they are painted and weathered suitably.

I also started work painting the tracks - Revell's Anthracite first followed by some dry-brushing with Humbrol's Gunmetal

Following some washes and dry-brushing this is how the hull and running gear looked:

While waiting for different bits of painting to dry I also assembled the main turret parts:

More weathering applied to hull parts, tracks and running gear:

Then I added some streaky runs down the sides of the hull - basically areas I won't easily able to get at when the wheels and tracks are in place:

I still need to get some muddy washes on parts of the sides before fitting the running gear and tracks.

A closer up view of the running gear showing the applied rust and oil stains:

....and on the tracks:

The detail on these looks quite nice.

And that's as far as I got this weekend. Can't wait until next weekend!

Comments and suggestions welcome.

Kind regards,

Stix

[PlaStix]

I have now posted some photos of this finished 1/48 IS-2 in the Gallery - a couple of extra photos here:

When I get chance I will post the full collection of photos in the AFV RFI section. My intention is to build a base for this tank in the Vignette GB - thread here.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

Kind regards,

Stix

[Ozzy]

I like what you've got planned for the vignette GB.

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Bashtastic!

You've done a beautiful job bending the tracks, I'd do just the same with the short runs to give them some mass. Don't be afraid of breaking anything.....I have nine of these in the stash and they are at your disposal.

Your middle sized model looks lovely in that environment, just waiting for a Tiger to stick it's turret over a ridgeline.

This might be of interest to fans of the IS-2: http://tankarchives.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/is-2-vs-german-big-cats.html

"For a change of pace, this time the turret didn't fall off. However, it might as well have. It's missing massive chunks of armour, and is cracked significantly. Another demonstration of overly brittle armour."

[wimbledon99]

Hi Stix,

The finished 1/48 is simply marvellous. I particularly like the running paint. Brilliant touch!!

Looking forward to the 1/72

Cheers

Nigel

[PlaStix]

I like what you've got planned for the vignette GB.

Thank you Ozzy. I'm really grateful for the Vignette GB happening at this time because I often plan bases for my GB builds and then don't get enough time to actually make them! It's the perfect reason to do some.

Bashtastic!

You've done a beautiful job bending the tracks, I'd do just the same with the short runs to give them some mass. Don't be afraid of breaking anything.....I have nine of these in the stash and they are at your disposal.

Your middle sized model looks lovely in that environment, just waiting for a Tiger to stick it's turret over a ridgeline.

This might be of interest to fans of the IS-2: http://tankarchives.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/is-2-vs-german-big-cats.html

"For a change of pace, this time the turret didn't fall off. However, it might as well have. It's missing massive chunks of armour, and is cracked significantly. Another demonstration of overly brittle armour."

Hi Sarge and thank you. So far I've managed not to break them but you never know.......... nine eh? Wow!

Thank you for the link too - fascinating reading!

Hi Stix,

The finished 1/48 is simply marvellous. I particularly like the running paint. Brilliant touch!!

Looking forward to the 1/72

Cheers

Nigel

Hi Nigel. Thank you very much for your kind comments. I'm really looking forward to doing some more work on the smaller version.

Kind regards,

Stix

[PlaStix]

I have now posted some more photos in the Armour Ready for Inspection section: here.

Kind regards,

Stix

[Cookenbacher]

Amazing work as usual Stix, and I can't wait to see what you do for the Vignette GB.

[PlaStix]

Hi Cookie and thank you very much for your kind comments. Really looking forward to making bases for this and my 1/72 version.

Kind regards,

Stix

[CliffB]

Lovely work as usual Stix. I look forward to Round 2

Cliff

[PlaStix]

Hi Cliff and thank you. Yes i'm looking forward to doing more work on the 1/72 version at the weekend. I'm really enjoying working on these IS-2s.

Kind regards,

Stix

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Don't forget I have PLENTY of spares when it comes time to do the tracks, if you think your runs will be at all tight just let me know what extras you will need.....I'm already expecting to junk at least one kit for spares when I build my own IS-2 company (of five).

[PlaStix]

Don't forget I have PLENTY of spares when it comes time to do the tracks, if you think your runs will be at all tight just let me know what extras you will need.....I'm already expecting to junk at least one kit for spares when I build my own IS-2 company (of five).

Hi Sarge - that's great to know. I'm hoping to get the tracks on this weekend - I'll let you know our know how I get on and if I need any extras. 5 eh? What am I not surprised!

Kind regards,

Stix

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Now Stix, don't get me wrong.....I'm building a company of five IS-2 (Early) from the Italeri kits (actually I'm building seven), but there's also the IS-2 (Middle) & IS-2 (Late) versions to consider.

[whitestar12chris]

Cracking job Stix, very nicely done.

All the best Chris

[TonyTiger91]

The 1/48th looks stunning Stix. What a vast cannon ! It's going to look amazing as a vignette.

I really like the paint work you've done on the 1/72 model. The subtle weathering on the hull sides is nice. The tracks look very good indeed; the anthracite and gun metal really work well together.

Great stuff

Best regards

Tony

[Gremlin56]

Great build and the usual excellent paintwork.

[thepureness]

fantastic result on that JS-2

I'm tempted to get one

[PlaStix]

Now Stix, don't get me wrong.....I'm building a company of five IS-2 (Early) from the Italeri kits (actually I'm building seven), but there's also the IS-2 (Middle) & IS-2 (Late) versions to consider.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.............................

Cracking job Stix, very nicely done.

All the best Chris

Hi Chris. Thank you.

The 1/48th looks stunning Stix. What a vast cannon ! It's going to look amazing as a vignette.

I really like the paint work you've done on the 1/72 model. The subtle weathering on the hull sides is nice. The tracks look very good indeed; the anthracite and gun metal really work well together.

Great stuff

Best regards

Tony

Hi Tony. Thank you very much. Yeah it was big gun!! It must have been pretty intimidating. And thank you for the comments about the 1/72 version - I get these sides done early because it's easier to do them while the wheels are not in place.

Great build and the usual excellent paintwork.

Hi Julian. Thank you too for your kind comments.

fantastic result on that JS-2

I'm tempted to get one

Thank you very much. I have to say that it is a very impressive looking tank and, if you don't want to take up too much space, the 1/48 Tamiya version is a really nice build with lovely detail in it's own right - I just fancied adding the PE! I'm now tempted to get Tamiya's 1/35 version at some point - it comes with PE grills in the box.

Kind regards,

Stix

Edit - I'll post the weekend's update when I get chance - been a busy weekend - got quite a bit done but didn't get chance to post anything.

Edited July 4, 2016 by PlaStix

[PlaStix]

This weekend just gone I was determined to get the wheels and tracks glued on the 1/72nd version. So I started on Saturday by getting some MIG European Dry Mud applied to the sides that will be behind the wheels. The stuff I've got is quite course and generally looks better on the larger scales but with careful application using a cocktail stick I was able to remove some of the larger pieces of grit. Once the mud was dry I attached the wheels:

Once the wheels had set firmly I added the tracks starting with the top run which I had shaped to represent the sag between the return rollers:

The tracks actually fitted really well - well done Italeri - but only because I didn't just follow their instructions. The arrangement of the wheels on the sides is not symmetrical but the instructions are presented as if they are. If you do make this kit at some point it's just a matter of checking which of the shorter lengths fits best rather than doing exactly what the diagrams show.

This is what the first side looks like:

And then the second set was assembled - again the fit was very good:

....and from the side:

A quick test fit of the top of the lower hull:

While waiting for the tracks to set I got the upper hull section painted and then did a test fit with the turret (which hadn't been painted yet because I was putting off fitting the tiny handles and lifting hooks!):

The light on Saturday afternoon was quite nice so I took a couple of extra photos which show I have fitted a bit of weight into the lower hull. I quite like the weights Tamiya provide - I feel they help the finished tanks sit better - especially on scenery items like grass:

On Sunday morning I decided to get some of the remaining parts assembled so that I could paint everything at the same time. These parts included the main gun, fuel tanks and the dreaded grab handles and hooks! The handles were quite tricky because Italeri provide only a couple of location marks and even they are difficult to see. But these photos show them attached:

With everything glued together and cleaned up I could get everything painted. I got a base coat of Humbrol 102, Army Green, applied followed by a thin wash all over of Revell's Gunship Grey and then a targeted wash around some of the raised detail of Revell's Anthracite. I used a very fine pointed brush for the latter. Finally I gave everything a dry-brushing with a lightened version of Humbrol's Army Green to which I added a touch of Revell's matt yellow. This was the result:

And these are all the additional bits that also had the same painting treatment:

I have to say I think Italeri have done quite a good job with the detail on this 1/72 kit - it certainly shows up well under the washes and dry-brushing.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

Kind regards,

Stix

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Looking splendid Stix.....Agree with your comments about the MIG Pigments sometimes being a tad coarse, I've taken to scooping some pigment out onto a bit of paper and giving it a good chop before use and I always fix pigment with white-spirit which also seems to help tone things down a bit.

[Ozzy]

Nice progress Stixs, these new 1/72 kits look a lot more detailed than the old Airfix kits I built years ago.

[rob85]

Stix I love the finished shots, what a great tank! Mind you it does look like it could fall over with the gun on its side!

Looking forward to what you do with the next one stix

Rob

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Nice progress Stixs, these new 1/72 kits look a lot more detailed than the old Airfix kits I built years ago.

Just a little bit.....TBH the Italeri IS-2 is 'mid-range' in modern Braille terms, IMHO currently you need to be looking at Flyhawk for the best.

[PlaStix]

Looking splendid Stix.....Agree with your comments about the MIG Pigments sometimes being a tad coarse, I've taken to scooping some pigment out onto a bit of paper and giving it a good chop before use and I always fix pigment with white-spirit which also seems to help tone things down a bit.

Thank you Sarge - yes it's handy that they can be made to work in 1/72!

Nice progress Stixs, these new 1/72 kits look a lot more detailed than the old Airfix kits I built years ago.

Thank you Ozzy. Yes they are more detailed than I remember - as Sarge says above - some are more detailed than others - but I was quite pleased with this one - especially as Sarge had kindly sent it me!!

Stix I love the finished shots, what a great tank! Mind you it does look like it could fall over with the gun on its side!

Looking forward to what you do with the next one stix

Rob

Hi Rob. Thank you and yes it was a real big gun!!

Kind regards,

Stix