Hey all, I was wondering everyones thoughts on what is the best ISU 122 kit on 1/35 scale and if they would require any AM upgrades to make a decent replica.

Thanks.

Hello!
The Tamiya set is best for you.
Replace only the barrel - otherwise there were no differences in real Self-propelled guns.

As far as I know Tamiya has the SU-122 and the ISU-152, but no ISU-122 (which is available from Zvezda and Dragon)

Dan,

Dragon do 2 versions of the ISU 122 including a post War version which has a different gun and mantlet. I have the ISU 122S (post War) version half built; half built only because as usual, I either got bogged down or distracted by another project, a malaise I seem to suffer from far too frequently.

Before I became fixated on something else I picked up on the web that plastic strip needed to be added to the hull (around the whole I think) to provide enough track clearance. I'm afraid I can't remember of what thickness. Apart from that it built well and details were pretty good, save I stress, I haven't completed it.

The Zvezda version is from the Second World War period and seems fairly accurate and detailed sufficiently well. I thought the tracks needed replacement as they were a bit clunky.

I recall (I'm away from my stash) that both needed tow ropes but I might be wrong.

I've no idea as to the availability of the Dragon models; I believe the Zvezda model is accessible.

If you wanted to perk up the Zvezda kit with say, Friuls, you'll need their set ATL-14, which presumably would also benefit the Dragon versions.

Brian

While that is true for the real vehicles, it's an open question whether an aftermarket 122mm gun will fit into the Tamiya ISU-152 mantlet.

The Dragon ISU-122S is a WW2 vehicle, not postwar.

The Dragon ISU-122 is from the 1990s but is still a very nice kit. To bring it up to a higher standard it badly needs a PE set, most urgently for the engine-deck mesh. An aftermarket gun tube is nice to have.

The kit hull is about 2mm too shallow (i.e. not high enough) but it's child's play to fix and there are any number of articles online about how to do it. Basically a 2mm high strip of evergreen all around the lower hull pan.

Tamiya's much-newer ISU-152 is presumably easily converted also. I don't have that kit so I don't know if a 122mm tube will fit their mantlet properly. If yes, then that would be the easiest starting point.

Sorry Dan, of course it was; I misled myself due to my intention to depict the kit as a post war vehicle. Apparently they were still in service in heavy armoured regiments up until the late 60s/early 70s - which prompted my interest in the version in the first place).

Brian

Aeesome! Thanks fellas.

I would also say the Tamiya ISU is the best starting point. Also which ISU-122 would you like? The A-19S armed one or the D-25S armed one?

For the D-25S, you could get something like this AM set that has the new mantle and D-25S gun
https://www.ebay.com/itm/CMK-HotBarrels-HB024-1-35-122mm-D-25S-with-Mantlet-Muzzle-Gun-for-ISU-122S/303254187587?epid=1457362351&hash=item469b5bae43:g:rxIAAOSwakxdVZKJ

Or work a bit at getting an A-19 barrel to fit
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aber-1-35-ISU-122-122mm-A-19-Barrel-Zvezda-L208/303409498000?_trkparms=aid%3D1110004%26algo%3DSPLICE.COMP%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200220094952%26meid%3Da388e13e7e1a4cdd8703ca399caf0b11%26pid%3D100008%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D132251225131%26itm%3D303409498000%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3Ddefault&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

The A-19 barrel is included in the mask of the Tamiya model without any alterations.
So it was in reality, self-propelled guns were no different except the barrel.

The Tamiya model is an order of magnitude more accurate than the Zvezda and Dragon kits

I’m working on this kit from MiniArt and I am loving it. Great detail instruction manual is clear and precise. Gives you three nice pictures of the paint schemes you could use.

This is not an ISU-122 (which was created on the basis of the IS tank), it is a completely different self-propelled gun - the SU-122 - created on the basis of the T-34 tank.
There is no talk about her.

Excuse me sorry I just miss read his post. I know the difference between the two. Thanks

Magic Models have turned aluminium A-19 barrel (MM3513) that fits straight to Tamiya kit.