Global Scale Modeller

Was going to do the Landrover but it only comes with sand tyres. So if I go for the ones that served in the Radfan I need to get a good match to the pink because I am crap at mixing colours. Humbrol do a gloss pink - 057. Had Tamiya provided Bar Grip tyres too.I could have used the European theatre colours. So until I can sort either paint or tyres it was down to either the IL-2 ,or JS3. Storage dictated it be the JS3.



History:
The IS-3, originally known as Object 703, is a Soviet heavy tank developed in late 1944. Its semi-hemispherical cast turret (resembling that of an upturned soup bowl) became the hallmark of post-war Soviet tanks. Its pike nose design would also be mirrored by other tanks of the IS tank family such as the IS-7 and T-10.
Produced too late to see combat in World War II, the IS-3 participated in the Berlin Victory Parade of 1945 and scared the hell out of the Western officials, the Soviet invasion of Hungary, the Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, and one was used during the early stages of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2014!

Instructions












Sprues








Decals

First operation - Prime everything on the sprues:


Then, once the primer has dried, paint the inner faces of the wheels in 4BO Green and assemble them:
3 return rollers, 7 road wheels, 2 drive sprockets per side


Followed by 4 fuel tanks which need the seams sanded smooth and the back panel of the hull.


This completes the first two steps on the instruction sheet.

Looks like this build is on track!

aur0ra145 wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 6:35 pm Looks like this build is on track!

Doh!!!
Being pedantic its not on tracks - yet!!
Trying to decide whether to use the kit plastic band tracks 'cos thats how Mr Tamiya's people designed it - or to go for a set of Friuhl metal links. Which will make it VERY heavy and get me a bad case of perforated thumbs and fingers!!! Decisions, decisions........

But back to the actual build - the return rollers, road wheels and drive sprockets, back plate and fuel tanks are painted and ready for a final spray finish:


And the lower hull is completed to section 3 of the instructions:

Blimey you're rocketing along.

Its an absolute brute of a tabk, isnt it.

As for the reasons for not building the Landy - didn't believe a word of it

Stokesy44 wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 9:42 pm Blimey you're rocketing along.

Its an absolute brute of a tabk, isnt it.

As for the reasons for not building the Landy - didn't believe a word of it

Its all true guv!!

Its odd 'cos I built the Pinkie when Tamiya first released it and I know I had the closest match to Radfan Pink.... Damned if I can remember what it was now - other than a Humbrol enamel.... it was 56+ years ago so I can be excused....
Good news is I've got hold of a second one to do in European colours - just need to find a set of 1/35 7.50x16 wheels with bar grip tyres.

Its the IS3

Off to a good start

Kevthemodeller wrote: Fri Mar 06, 2026 12:19 pm Its the IS3

Off to a good start

Looks like a cowpat on wheels. Just sayin.

Stokesy44 wrote: Fri Mar 06, 2026 5:32 pm Looks like a cowpat on wheels. Just sayin.

Lower hull has the final, air brushed finish and is ready for the next assembly stage.


Stage 5 is complete save for the track links on the lower hulls glacis plate - these have had a coat of Dark Iron which is drying then a bit of rust will be applied. All road wheels touch the ground - which is always a bonus - just need to add a bit of "silvering" to the wheels where the track and its horns will have rubbed.




Next step in the build process transfers attention to the upper hull so this has had a brushed coat of 4BO ready for the assembly operations.

Nice work. Moving along swiftly.

Stokesy44 wrote: Sat Mar 07, 2026 7:18 am Nice work. Moving along swiftly.

In all honesty there isn't a lot to this kit! Most of the sprues are more or less empty now. I'm thinking this must have been a relatively early release. I would have checked on Scalemates.com - but all I'm getting tonight is a "502 Bad Gateway" error when trying to access the site.

Anyways - back to the build...
The front of the upper hull is now complete, less the track links,shackles and pioneer tools.


As is the back with the same caveat.


The upper hull was then sprayed with 4BO Green.




Next step is joining the upper and lower hulls. However before I can do this I need to wash the tracks off, prime them and then paint & weather them and fit them to the vehicle.

So I continued with the first steps of the turret. As one hatch will be open I've painted the interior white so anyone looking past the figure won't just see green plastic.

The light has really caught the cast texture on the turret. Should look great with paint on.

Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2026 6:23 am The light has really caught the cast texture on the turret. Should look great with paint on.

Thanks - credit is Tamiyas for the moulding on this.

Managed to get more time on the bench today despite have family plus an extra houndie visiting.
Turret is assembled and has had the first, brushed, coat of 4BO Green. First chance I get it will get the sprayed coat.
The vehicle is dry-assembled at the moment to save room.
Work has started on the 12.7mm Dushksa. Next step after this is to scrub the tracks in soapy water, let them dry then prime and paint them. They can then be assembled and fitted then the hulls joined. Only decals are on the turret which simplifies things.
Work also started on the crew figure. Its an odd one - soviet tankers uniforms are a one piece black canvas affair with an internal pocket for a Makarov. The figure supplied, whilst the head has a ribbed Soviet tankers helmet, has more in common with a US Tanker having a leather jacket and holstered pistol.... Going to need some thinking and working.....

More good work. I recognise the barrel and muzzle break. Is it the same on the IS2?

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2026 6:26 am More good work. I recognise the barrel and muzzle break. Is it the same on the IS2?

Good eyes!! They both use the D25 122mm main gun.

Oh yes, looking good, you've really enhanced the texture of the castings

Decals are now on the turret. Decals on this are incredibly basic.




Tracks need priming and painting now - hopefully that will get done today.

Tracks are now primed and painted,just needs a bit of weathering. Then it can all go together...

Nicely done. Cant go wrong with older Tamiya.

Calling this one finished too. Matt clearcoat is drying - then I have to find somewhere to put it.
Its been a pleasant build. My only regret is not using metal tracks as the plastic ones in the kit don't sag between the return rollers. Still - I can always do that in the future. Right now its built as Mr Tamiyas company produced it.

Nicely done.

You must be running out of room at home with all these finished builds.

Stokesy44 wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2026 10:20 pm Nicely done.

You must be running out of room at home with all these finished builds.

I have!!! I'm in absolute desperate need of some Ikea "Detolf" type display cabinets - and a thinning of the stash!!

great result