Ok seeing as well the t-80 was so bad whats the go on dragon's JS-1?

Well, what you get in the box is essentially an IS-2 with a KV-85 turret. Minor adjustment work is needed, the only problem is finding reliable references, as the IS-1 never really saw combat service (they were all converted to IS-2 standards in a matter of months) and there's only few pictures available. Oh yes, like all Dragon IS kits, the height of the hull is a tad insufficient and there's hardly any space between the top of the track and the bottom of the fenders. The Italeri/Zvezda kit is, of course, more crude and less crispy on the details, but dimension-wise is actually more accurate. It is possible to fix the height of the Dragon hull, but it's a very time-consuming process.

I built both the Dragon and Zvezda kit, and that's how I know these things (with the two on a shelf close to the each other, I can easily see how the Dragon tank sits too low, even if we're talking 2-3mm at the most...)

If I were you, I'd wait for the Tamiya kit, it might just be the best of both world: as accurate as the Italeri kit and as detailed as the Dragon offering. Unfortunately you can't build it as an IS-1 (short of MAJOR reconstructive surgery...) because it's actually an IS-2m, with the sloped glacis plate...

The IS-1 did see service, despite Steve Zaloga's early research to the contrary. Photos do show it with combat units alongside later variants. Detail looks nice on the Dragon kit, and the tracks worked much like the current Magic Tracks, press fitting together, so you could install a run and then apply cement (apparently a fortuitous accident). Big problem was the shallow hull and slightly undersized wheels, making the whole tank look squashed. Could be kit bashed with the chunkier but more dimensionally accurate Zvezda IS-2 or possibly the new Tamiya IS-2.

That's correct; I have seen a few photos of IS-1s that appear to be in service - certainly not on the proving grounds. I must be one of the few who like DML's kit... the height issue is easily fixed with 2mm styrene strips. Same fix is needed between the turret halves, if this issue is important to you. Honestly I have never seen a Zvezda/italeri IS that was even close to a DML one in appearance. It may have the correct dimensions but was a very crude kit.

Hi, I built one pretty much OOB and I liked it. Much better than the T-80 I did not mess with the hull height either.



Click here for more pics

Dmitry

Dmitry,
that looks great! Did the kit come with the nice cast texture or did you add your own? The war booty motorcycle is a very cool idea too!

Hi David. It all depends on how picky you are. I actually like it as well. I overcome the height problem by sanding the underneath of the side fenders and also a little of the top-side of the return rollers. Might not be the AMS way, but it worked for me.
Below is the only image I have in my gallery. I never took it any further than this ... so the tracks are only base painted, and no real weathering either .... which might be better for your needs, as you can see it how it is when built. Its built OOB by the way.