Global Scale Modeller

So here it goes, the first GB entry and 2nd tank build.

Seems I picked a popular model, I blame Tamiya . I will do it without any extra's, but if things go wrong they could be added.

JSU-152:



The ISU-152 was an absolute nightmare for the Wehrmacht. Much like the SU-152, it was capable of blowing the turret off of even the Panther and Tiger, as well as blowing the casemate of the Ferdinand, and Jagdtiger wide open. It could even knock out the King Tiger! However, what made the ISU-152 inherently better than the SU-152 was its superior armor and towing power. It had three major roles – assault gun, tank destroyer, and mobile artillery, which made it one of the most versatile heavy vehicles of the war. After the war, it remained in service well until the 1970s, and some even saw some unconventional action at the Chernobyl liquidation, 1986.



The ISU-152 came about for two main reasons – the success of the SU-152, and the arrival of the IS heavy tank hull. Seeing as though the IS was an upgrade of the KV series, which the SU-152 was based on, it made perfect sense to mount the same weapons on the newer platform. This would mean that maintenance would be easier with a sort-of standardization of late war tanks. Shortly after the SU-152’s deployment, the NKTP (Ministry of Transport Machine-Building Industry) ordered design teams in Chelyabinsk, in cooperation with the Mechanized Artillery Bureau, and General F. Petrov, to design two new heavy assault guns based on the IS-2 hull on May 25th, 1943. The development for this tank was undertaken by the famous Joseph Kotin, and G.N. Moskvin as the main designer – the first prototype was ready in only a month.





Much like the ISU-122, when field guns were in short supply, the ISU-152 was able to perform preparatory shelling to help out with Red Army advances. The Soviets never had any specialized, mass-produced vehicle for this purpose, but the ISU-152 was as close as they would get for the time being. Whilst towed artillery units were given to mechanized divisions, they were vulnerable and slow to field compared to the ISU-152.





Will attempt to build the white-washed "Mockba" version, shown above.

The Kit:

The Build:

It's Tamiya, so everything looks crisp, no flash, separate bags for the sprues. Not a lot of PE (can be a good thing). The PE in the kit does seem a bit thicker than the ones Dragon, HobbyBoss, ... use. Also a good thing that there is the option to choose the kind of tracks you use: vinyl and single links to make link and length tracks using the supplied jig. Will be attempting the link and length tracks, the sag on them will look a lot better.

Here it goes:

















Wheels assembled smooth, added the caps for use-able wheels.

So now the front and rear plates and spare tracks.





Next step is making the 4 spare fuel tanks, some seams needed filling and sanding.

Got some more work done on the hull, went Tamiya smooth. No issues at all.







The suspension was done using the handy jig, provided in the box.



Added the usable wheels, to get the tracks on right later on.





I will be using the "single track-to link/length" tracks, imo it will look a lot better. When it all falls together like planed . Not much experience with tracks, so if all goes bad it will be the vinyl ones that will be used.





After clean-up I noticed a lot of sink marks on the long pieces, used thick CA glue to fill them and sand them down. Not 100% gone, but won't be noticed once finished ...







Then on to the assembly of the single link to length part, the provided jig (again, gotta love Tamiya) is used and was in all a smooth operation. A litte to much glue here and there will be primed away. Happy with the outcome, sag is gonna look good.



With a bit of hesitation is assembled the whole tracks. Did have to add extra links get the right fit. But have to say, came out better than expected (if I say so myself).









Lesson learned here: leave the opening on top. Did it on the lower part and it seems like that's gonna give some problems while installing them.

looking good so far...these link and length tracks looks awesome...keep up the good work

Great job with the tracks, they look awesome!


Tommy

TommyKillander wrote:Great job with the tracks, they look awesome!


Tommy

RonBurgundy wrote:looking good so far...these link and length tracks looks awesome...keep up the good work

Thx-a-lot, it went better than I anticipated. Just a bit unsure how they will fit once painted, want to paint and weather them seperate. But will troubleshoot it when it arises. Gotta keep moving forward .

Nice looking kit, will be watching the build

Good work, I really like those tracks. This type JSU-152 was my father in law's vehicle. He absolutely seemed to love it. Each vehicle had its own crew and they were responsible for everything on that gun. Once retired, (my father in law cried) many were placed in city parks, still with ordinance! I had gotten the Object 704 when it first came out and talked to him about it....he basically said it was a POS.

Roger

Backfire22 wrote:Good work, I really like those tracks. This type JSU-152 was my father in law's vehicle. He absolutely seemed to love it. Each vehicle had its own crew and they were responsible for everything on that gun. Once retired, (my father in law cried) many were placed in city parks, still with ordinance! I had gotten the Object 704 when it first came out and talked to him about it....he basically said it was a POS.

Roger

Thx.

The man had taste , it's an awesome tank and with the nickname "Beast Killer" you can't go wrong.

Found this video on youtube, like you said, a lot were placed all over the place and these guys found one (only in Russia).
"Hey honey, I found a tank"

[youtube]n_aDMqFrUV8[/youtube]

Also this very nice walk-around and interior overview from the World of Tanks channel.

[youtube]2jT1F3B1qxs[/youtube]

[youtube]-49d0Mf0VFc[/youtube]

Got some more work done. It was on to the superstructure, snipping, cleaning and drilling holes.





Building the gun.



Adding the support for the commander figure and the driver's viewport.





Assembling both halves of the superstructure and the front fenders.











On to the engine and rear plate. Some thick PE (and some cutmarks ....) and more drilling.





Tools and decided to add some wire to the indicator lights.



From here on I took the more chaotic approach to the build.





Added again some wire, painted inside of the light and masked with liquid mask.















Build is going Tamiya-smooth. A real joy.

Blah! I hate doing all those tracks and road wheels, it's why I stick to aircraft. You doing great so far, and have more patience than me

Sturm wrote:Blah! I hate doing all those tracks and road wheels, it's why I stick to aircraft. You doing great so far, and have more patience than me

Thx, I do this to expand my patience .
But it's some work and this only being the second armor I attempt, gave me some stress. Learned a lot the fun way and largely thx to the awesome Tamiya kit which gave close to no problems. Fase 1 is close to completion .

Very nice. Didn't know they came with the link and length tracks. Most I've seen had the vinyl which put me off. But now after seeing yours... I might just get it

Great build so far, especially your extra detailing. This GB really got me into Russian armour of WW II. So many great tanks and this here is definitely one of them. Looking forward to seeing more, mate. Jens

Really nice detail, good work.

timtamtung wrote:Very nice. Didn't know they came with the link and length tracks. Most I've seen had the vinyl which put me off. But now after seeing yours... I might just get it

Thx. When finished they do look the part, a lot better than the vinyl ones, which are utter crap. They also seem to have weaker parts where they were bent to fit the box. The kit as a whole is highly recommended. Pure joy to build.

NonProlificModeler wrote:Great build so far, especially your extra detailing. This GB really got me into Russian armour of WW II. So many great tanks and this here is definitely one of them. Looking forward to seeing more, mate. Jens

Thx. Have to say, having the same. My favorite topic was German WW2, but I'm really tempted to build some more. Great subjects, nice designs and a certain roughness that you gotta appreciate. "Could be done better, but there is no need or time to" .

Backfire22 wrote:Really nice detail, good work.

Thx .

Joined the halves and put the fuel tanks on.

Fitting the hull and upper structure took a bit fiddling and a decent amount of CA. But in the end it's straight and all gaps are filled -> like brand new . Front connection also needed a bit of filling and sanding and covered up with the adding of the spare tracks.







Time for the grab handles, only broke 3 when removing them from the sprue . Was able to repair them, but having previous experience with wrecking handles and similar small pieces that are poking out. I decided to replace the ones on the side of the turret with more sturdy ones. Lacking a grab handle maker or a resistor bender, I was looking around the bench and came to the conclusion that the big side of a Ultimate small sander stick is just the right width. Formed them on there and +- squared them on the PE bender. Not a 100%, but satisfied.





Getting it all ready for the Ultimate primer that's on the way. Masked the suspension arms with liquid mask and put the wheels on sticks. Made sure to mark the tracks, so no confusion in final assembly.





Said it before and say it again -> awesome kit, good amount of detail, choice of tracks (vinyl or link and length), not to many parts and no fittng issues.

Looking forward to painting it up. Plan to do a standard 4BO Green scheme, gonna order a Life Color set for this - looks like a close match to 4BO Green, and a white wash on top. Should look a bit like this, the Moscow decals are added in the kit.

Painting:

Got the Ultimate primer delivered and went straight into using it. Came out perfect - sprayed nicely, covered very well and with a silky smooth finish. Recommended .

Wow, yes, that's looking very clean and smooth! And it shows how well you built the kit, bud! Kutgw! Jens