JS-2M Stalin
36th Independent Guard Regiment, East Prussia, Oct

IS-2's were first deployed in spring of 1944 and were armed with the D-19 122mm gun. The gun used a separate shell and powder charge reducing load time but providing a gun with 3.5x the kinetic energy of the standard 76.2mm anti-tank gun. Later improved IS-2s (model 1944) had an upgraded gun which loaded faster, as well as having a double-baffle muzzle brake and better fire-control. It also featured a simpler front hull and is often referred to as the IS-2m. Other minor upgrades included the addition of a travel lock on the hull rear, wider mantlet, and, on very late models, an antiaircraft machine gun.

A very nice Fujimi kit, I had a lot of fun putting this kit together. The Link & length tracks were tough to get on but look nice in place. I also damaged the fenders and added stretched sprue antenna. I left off the AA MG as those were only on very late war or post-war tanks. The tank is painted with Tamiya paints and weathered with AK washes and Mig Pigments.