Hello fellow modellers!

I'd like to present The IS-3 I have built for the "Stalin's Armor" campaign here on Armorama as probably not everyone here visits the campaign's topics.

This is not nearly a build blog, may be more of a painting blog if anything, I just don't feel comfortable anymore with showing anything less than half finished as I have way too many "unfinished buisneses" under my belt due to the "staggering" speed of my most recent builds.

The model is the well known Tamiya rendition of the IS-3 kit no. 35211 with the addition of Friulmodel ATL-14 tracks as well as Eduard's PE tool boxes and fenders for IS-3 set no. 36042 plus various scratchbuilt details.

Having the front fenders removed for the PE replacements I opted not to install the PE parts and keep the front fenderless for a slightly more beastly and menacing look.

This required some remodeling of the sides of the "pike" nose, addition of the lower part of the upper side hull armour protruding just below the fenders and sposon floors.

I used Greenstuff for weld and blowtorch marks around some details and armor plates, most other details were scratchbuild and the fender mounting strips were laser cut-from fine card.

Still to be added are spare track links retaining tabs (to be added after painting, as I intend to use "Blacken-It" for the white metal links) and unditching log(?) brackets on the left sponson.

The model will be put on a little scenic base, and I'm toying with the idea of giving the tank commanders a gas mask and placing the tank in some postapocalyptic scenery, for a scene that could happen during the Totskoye nuclear exercise (probably not that plausible as the Soviets would not use the valuable heavy tank in such test... or would they?).

Cheers,
Greg

Top build Pedro

Now lets see some paint on it

Rog.

Have been waiting on one of these kits to appear here for ages, I've always liked the look of this tank. Looks like your doing a top job on it. This kit could be a contender for my next build. Will be keeping an eye on this one to see how it goes.

Thanks for replies Guys!

Paul, Tamiya kit is very nice (as one would expect to see from them in their more recent releases) in terms of fit and the detail that is there. The biggest let down is that Tamiya kit straight from the box is a very early version that was only ever seen used in parades, and any combat use depiction possibilities start from the updated version I tried to build (Hungarian 1956 uprising has seen some of those alongside the already modernised IS-3M egsamples) and probably end there, as there are no known (to me at least) update sets that would take this kit to the IS-3M standard.

IS3-M were used by the Egyptian forces and fallen into Israelis hands, the Trumpeter IS-3M would be pefect here, softer detail but still accurate or so I've heard, and half the price of the big T kit.

Cheers,
Greg

I have built both kits. The Trumpeter one is just as nice. Looks like the majority of the Trumpeter one was copied from the Tamiya kit, just with the additions of the M models changes.

Greg

Greg, thanks for the clarificationon the Trups IS3M.

Last update painting stage:
I've added two last details: unditching log racks and front fender mounting strips, which are actually drilled , which may not be visible in the pictures. during the last photoshoot I also tightened both tracks by one link, i think this way the tank looks tidier. Backdrop for the photos changed to black this time, which I think works quite well.

Cheers,
Greg

Pedro-- Wow! Great work
DJ

Thanks DJ!

Very small update: primed!





Cheers,
Greg

Hi Guys;

First let me say; NICE JOB, GREG !!! SUPERB WORK !!

The JS-3 was the Early Production kit that Tamiya released, and not longer there was A conversion made by Jaguar too Bring it up too A JS-3m Standard. Now Actually Jaguar made the Conversion based on a Vehicle that they found at a Museum that had T-62 components drafted on too it, and if I remember it correctly it had the Engine Deck of the T-62 and some other Fittings.---OOPS ! Now too Jaguars Credit, They Quickly corrected the Mistake. And the conversion was Superb and made into a Nice JS-3m.
SORRY FOR THIS LIL-BIT OF O.T.-- Again Greg; Real Nice, We cant wait too see it Painted.
CHEERS; MIKE.

Hello Mike,
Thanks for chiming in, your info is very interesting!

I'm guessing that Jaguar does not operate anymore, as in any of my google querries I made while researching different details regarding IS-3 and IS-3M I haven't found any mention of the set. Do you know of any build completed with the aforementioned set?

Cheers,
Greg

Hi Greg;

Other than the two builds that I built of the JS-3, I haven't seen Another Build using the Jaguar Conversion set.
When I purchased my Tamiya Pike" I was kind of Dissappointed in that it was the early Mk; of the JS-3. The Corrected version of the Jaguar set when I received it was real nice and even gave the builder the Sponsons that go underneath the Side Skirts. Now One of my Biggest Dis-likes with Tamiya is they always Leave the Sponsons Open under the side skirts, which I Always Fill in with Sheet Plastic.
recently I did see the Jaguar conversion on e-bay, so they Do pop up from time too time. As with any Resin Conversion there can be Problems trying too Adapt it too the Doner kit, But too my Surprise it went together with No Problems.
Now I have too Confess that its Not Any thing that's as Nice as yours.
CHEERS; MIKE.

Hi Mike,

I've found one:
http://www.sovietmodeler.com/SOVIETMODELERWEBINGLES/TANQUESMODERNOingles/TANQUE-IS-3Mingles/TANQUE-IS-3Mingles.html

I must say that I like the looks of the conversion quite a lot and I did found that one set that pops up on ebay every now and then in old auctions. Shipping from the US was a bit steep thpough. Probably I'm not going to touch another IS-3 for some time anyway, as there are other kits waiting to be built.

Next update of my IS-3: painting the base.

I followed the current "fad" of colour modulation. Now I don't know if this creates as heated arguments as chipping did some time ago, but I like the effect and expression possibilities it gives.

It does indeed look a little bit stark in the photos, but it will all tone down quite a lot after those filters, washes and the rest of weathering. It still needs some touch-ups and additional highlights given to smaller details via brush.

Cheers,
Greg

Looks great so far. Are you planning on adding any tactical numbers?

Greg

Hi Greg,
Yeah, I think I will add tactical numbers, probably one of those from the box or I will dig out some photo to base it on.

Cheers,
Greg

Amazing clean build!

That is a mean looking tank and painting so far is top notch.

Thank you for sharing

Ole

Thanks for your kind words Ole!

Cheers,
Greg

Yup, the Tamiya looks good! I am building both a KV-122 and IS-3M from Trumpeter.

Can't wait for more from you!





Jeff

Hello Pedro,
I really like the work you've done so far on this build. I'm looking forward to seeing it completed. I have a question for you concerning the wiring and tie downs on the back of the turret. What did you use to make the tie downs and electrical wiring?
I'm not happy with the materials I am using for these details and I like your approach. Thanks for the help.

Thanks for your replies!

Erik, the wire I used comes from an old B&W TV kinescope solenoids, so I'd say it's just electrical wiring, 0.25-0.3mm thick, I think it's steel and coated.

I repainted few areas to give them more contrasting gradients and warmer tones (to be frank, I think I should have used those colors from the start for overall Color Modulation, but well one learns from his mistakes).

I changed the headlight to a ELF one, which has nice metal bezel, transparent lens and bulb and is of a more appropriate diameter for the period of this tank than what Tamiya provided. Tamiya also only gives opaque green lens :/

I've finally weathered the suspension and glued on the wheels and put on the tracks.

Lower hull tub and wheels weathering consisted of a light burnt umber oil wash/filter for the base. When it dried I sprayed on light coat of dust (mixed Humbrol's 121 and 83) wiped down with lighter fluid.

The mud is a mix of Carpathian Gold Ochre pigment (artist's stuff, hence the longish name, but comes in significantly bigger jar and is half the price of e.g. MIG prod. pigments)aforementioned humbrol paints and some plaster, all slightly diluted with enamel thinner. This mixture was then stipled wia stiff brush on the lower hull and wheels and wiped down in places to simulate being washed down/falling off dry mud. in lows of the wheels and crevices on the suspension and hull I added some dilluted Vallejo Flat Earth and burnt umber oil spots to simulate wetter and/or stained mud.

Next up: nicks chips and scratches, and some mapping.

Cheers,
Greg

Hi Greg;

Well Done My Friend !!!! I like it so much that I am going too go out and get another one and depict it in Invasion Markings as they were in Hungary in 1956 !
Your Excellent Build has really Stoked Me Up !
Again, Superb Job !!
CHEERS; MIKE.

Mike, I'm really happy that my build could be an inspiration for you, thanks for compliments!

Interesting thing about those tanks from Hungary is that they were both regular production as well as modernised IS-3 M. Now this would be a diorama Idea: IS-3 and IS-3M together coming out of the gate of Russian barracks to suppress the uprising, or later on, knocked out side by side...

No apparent markings visible on the photos though?

Cheers,
Greg

Hello everyone!
Smallest update: I've managed to convert the figure and I'm slowly building up some weathering.











Cheers,
Greg

Hi Greg;

(((FANTASTIC JUST FANTASTIC)))

Another thing that I would consider, is its just coming off an Exercise and is in the process of being De-Contaminated or it being Scrubbed Down. The Figure is Superb, and Adds that Special Touch of Realism in A Modeling Setting !! Great Work-Cant wait too see it finished.

CHEERS; MIKE.

Hi Mike!

Thanks, I like the idea that the tank is entering de-contamination very much! Unfotunately the only photos of tanks de-contamination I know feature some kind of truck mounted jet-showers like in this picture http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Decontaminant_of_a_T-64_MBT.JPEG which I would't want to research and scratchbuild.

On the other handit had lead me to adopt an idea close to the scenes we can see in those pictures suposedly taken during the nuclear tests in Totskoye, Russia: http://sovieteramuseum.com/?p=1555

It would feature a base loosely based on one of those photos and a guy in a chemical suit like this 1:35 figure from Planet Hobby: http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/iczbkd8s2yevbh5vifaq.html, I would just have to replace his rifle with a Geiger counter or a broom.

Thanks for adding some food for thought Mike!

Cheers,
Greg

I managed to push the project with some weathering: oils filter, chips, some dusting is still in order but I think its starting to look like something, a big green tank perhaps .

I also painted the figure. Right now I think that his cap has too much of a blueish tinge to it, so I'm pondering repainting that. I was not able to catch that in any of the photographs but the gas mask has its glass parts done in Humbrol's clear fix.

Cheers,
Greg