JS-2

After the initial relative success of the KV-1 heavy tank, introduction of the T-34 medium tank showed more promising as the many mobility, mechanical and firepower issues of the KV-1 forced the SKB tank design bureau to search for a new solution for a heavy tank capable to deal with the German latest armor as the Panther and Tiger tanks. In 1943, following a developing process that led from the KV-1 to the KV-85, the IS series of heavy tanks was born. In this project I focused on the IS-2 a 46 ton mammoth with a D-25 122 mm gun that could take out anything the Germans had in 1944-45, while protected by 90-130 mm of angled armor plate in almost every angle of ballistic significance. I took the fine replica of the IS-2 by Tamiya and added a RB Model turned aluminum barrel and metal tracks. A joyful build, I finished my model with Vallejo paints and pigments as a depiction of the 7th Independent Guards, Heavy Tank Brigade in Berlin 1945.