I recently purchased a tamiya IS-3 model and based on what I read online , this variant didnot see any combat in the hands of soviets? Is thats correct?
Was it used in 1956 Hungarian Uprising at all? or in any other conflicts post WWII or even late part of WWII?
Any information will help my depiction accuracy.
thanks
Vivek

This variant was not used in combat but can certainly be used in a diorama as it was fielded in this condition. You could show it during the parade in Berlin when the West first saw it, on exercises, or a what-if scenario with a Panther Ausf F or something.

the tamiya version of IS3 is pretty much the earliest variant of the tank, which was developed during the very last months of WW2. it was first shown on a military parade in Berlin shortly after the city was conquered (this variant should match the tamiya release) as a demonstration of russian tank engineering development so no, it never really participated in the WW2 battles. some sources say that it participated in the last phases of battle of Berlin, but that is most likely not true, there is no evidence for that and it doesnt match in the time line. it was, as you say, used in the Hungarian uprising 1956 and Czechoslovak uprising 1968 too, but as far as i know those were modernised versions (the old trumpeter kit fits this variant) plus i dont think those were real combat deployments. the first and as far as i know the only real combat deployment was in the six day war in late 60s. again a modernised versions and it showed up to be quite bad and outdated tank by than.

Thanks for the replies guys. One kit I picked and I can't use it for a decent diorama. But on the other hand I got a PT-76 and a T-34 which I believe can be use in a hungarina uprising diorama....

The one thing to keep in mind is that Voyager and many of the other PE manufacturers have $20 sets that will add the storage bins and such to "update" it to the modernized version that you could use in the uprising or any other in service diorama.

Mical and Matt,
Was Su-100 used in any of the uprisings? Czech or Hungarian??

I cant tell this for 100% but i would say no. There definitely were t34/85s, i cant recall seeing any of su100s in any photos. see it wasnt a real combat action, neither Prague, neither Budapest and su100 was a specialised assault weapon but again, cant guarantee that for you. couldnt find anything amongst the local czech/slovakian sources either.
If you want to build a diorama in a simillar theme, definitely go for a T54 wearing this camouflage. At least when it comes to the Czechoslovakian uprising, this tank still stays the symbol of the occupation untill nowadays.

Thanks Michal,
Happened to find the following pictures. Can somebody confirm what variant of PT-76 this is


And also are the below tanks SU-152 or some other?



Thanks