As we all know, the Dragon IS2 is a great kit except for one thing, the upper hull is too low. On my IS2-M ChKZ model the problem is so bad that I can't even fit the tracks underneath between the return tollers and the fender.

I heard that there were several fixes for this, like using styene spacers to raise it up. Can anyone describe this in more detail please? Or any other methods. Build logs with this implicated would be much appreciated. I was thinking of filing down the underside of the fenders, but theres only so far you can file and I don't think it will be enough.

Dear Boris!

I wrote you a PM regarding the hull fix.

Let me know what you think,

Best regards,

Andreas

Hey, we can all share here...unless Andreas sent the "hit it with a brick" PM!

My understanding was that it needed .040 x .060 styrene strip all around to raise the hull up proper. But I am not sure and it has been a while since I looked into it.

Anyone remember?

Hehe

I wrote Boris a PM because I´m going to share some pics from a "modelling manual". I was just unsure about copyright. But if it´s okay, I´m gonna post the pics from osprey "Modelling IS Heavy tanks" here aswell

Best regards,

Andreas

Andraeus--- please put your data in the forum. We will not turn you in for a "violation."
DJ

Yes, I doubt these people go through forums looking for people posting their material.

What about the joint at the front and back of the hull? Wouldn't the sheets kind of disturb the angles and joints? That's what I'm most confused about.

Understood. I would think that one or two excerpts would be ok, but I think we should wait for word from Nick about it since he was the principle aurthor of that book. No need for me to speak for him and no need to slight him and his hard work.

Hi Guys,

I don't think it's a problem to put up the Stalin hull height fix from the book.
and I don't think Osprey will mind either..

any problems, let me know..

Nick

Here's a very quick and effortless fix: buy the Tamiya kit...

wish i thought of that earlier

I've used the styrene fix on the Dragon IS-2, and the ISU-122. No issue with the front - just add a piece of styrene. The back hull requires a little bit of trimming and fiddling to ensure that the upper and lower hull parts meet properly, but is easy enough.




Tamiya kit at LHS - $60
Price I paid for both IS-2 and ISU - 122 - $40

Net result - $20 to spend on something else!

incidently, Fredrik Lundbeck did a real nice job explaining the height problem here:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1069180886/Updated+guide+to+fixing+the+DML+JS-JSU-height+problem


I suspect that there are plently of modelers who have DML Stalins stashed away...
and for what it's worth, they are still pretty good, if you are willing to put in some hours to do do some additional detail work!

Nick

Thanks nick, here's my problem though.
The guide you posted says that the rear plate has to be moved up a bit. I already glued mine on as shown in the instructions. Is there any way to implement the fix without moving the rear plate? I can try to snap it off and re-glue it, but I would rather not if possible since its all puttied up with weld seams and stuff now.

Boris -
I added 2mm to the hull bottom and built it up all the way around. There is no way to do the fix w/o also lifting the rear plate. Then theres the issue with the wheels being undersized in the DML kit as well. Zvesda or Tamiya........

Chris

The wheels i have no problem with, they look good enough to me. I'm not a rivet counter (no offense to anyone) The only problem with the wheels is that the return rollers are molded kinda weird in that the rim in one area is thinner than in most so i had to fix that with putty. Didn't come out perfect but fortunately this will go into a dio with lots of action so that will take some of the scrutiny off the tank.

So I guess I will have to rip off the rear plate and redo it. No biggie

Hi Boris,

I'll have to check my spares box, but I just might have an extra back plate as well as a hull...I would be more than happy to send them to you!
yes, the wheels are undersized!..

Nick

its ok, i got them separated and fixed up.
thanks for all the help everyone, i got it from here

Are we gonna get to see the measurements and photos of the hull fix or what?

Live link to the thread posted by Nic above

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1069180886/Updated+guide+to+fixing+the+DML+JS-JSU-height+problem

Or you could buy his (Nic's) book, I was looking at mine (again) over the weekend.

David

Thanks David. I missed that, sorry! Doh!

I can post pics of what I did (slightly different than whats described) if anyone wants.
I just gota wait until tomorrow or so to take them since my camera is currently locked in an abandoned building 10 miles from my house

O........K........that is a story begging for a explaination.

Wait! Lemme get a cup a coffee! This should be good!
Okay Boris, let's hear it.......

Okay all get comfortable, it's story time.

Greg's (my friend, a squatter) friend told him about this apartment building he found where they could start a squat of sorts. The friend went there before and put his own lock on the place and gave us the keys so we could get in. On Sunday night we go there to check the place out. Greg was actually planning on fixing it up with a bunch of other people and living there. Me, I just came along because i like urban exploring.
So we get to the building, open the lock with the key he gave us, and go inside. The place is really creepy since it's been abandoned since the 80's and it's night time, but we know no one other than us is in there since it's all locked up (though we quickly check anyway). We find that it's not in bad shape, still got working electricity, I had to go wandering around in the dungeon-like basement looking for the fuse box. We go upstairs drop our stuff on the floor and sit around waiting for a few other guys to come meet us there. After about 40 minutes, we get hungry and decide to go get some snacks and just wait for them at the subway since they don't know where it is exactly anyway. We leave, leaving our stuff (including my bag and camera and all) behind and lock up the place. Go get snacks meet up with the rest of the guys and come back. Trying to open the lock, we snap the key (who hasn't had that happen). After much trying we have no luck trying to open the thing and just get the broken piece stuck even further in the lock. Now we are pissed since our stuff is inside, we are outside and theres a door with a jammed lock between the two. No windows on the first floor to speak of and no way to get to the ones on the second to climb through. We finally decide to call it a night and go home.
Next day we manage to get another copy of the key for the lock and some tweezers to get the broken piece out. Go back there, and again after much trying no luck at even pulling the jammed piece out so now the back up key is useless. once again call it a day and leave with our stuff still in there safe and sound from everyone including us.
Today we decided to bring the heavy artillery, aka bolt-cutters. We would have preferred not to cut the lock but we had no choice now. We go and try to cut it, no luck, its just too big and in a weird position which makes it hard to put enough force on the cutters to pop it. So we pop the one for the basement entrance and finally get our stuff out. The End.

Sorry it's so long, should kill a good ten minutes at the office for some of you.