I was going to construct long ago this interesting model of Tamiya firm. I decided to construct the upgraded tank which consisted on arms of the Soviet army long time.
It is a little history:
The JS-2 tank is one of the most interesting representatives of a class of heavy Soviet tanks.
The JS-2 tank, arrived on arms of Red Army in 1944 and took active part in operations of 1944 1945. The new tank completely met expectations of the Soviet command as means of high-quality strengthening of parts and the divisions intended for break of well strengthened positions of the opponent, and also conducting combat operations in the cities. JS-2 served in army, probably, more long than other heavy tanks - the official order on removal of JS-2M from arms of already Russian army arrived only in 1995. Planned to it on change of JS-3 had the essential constructive shortcomings complicating operation of the tank in armies. The heavy JS-4 tank also was difficult in operation and service. At the same time JS-2 quite suited army as technically reliable and simple fighting vehicle. In 1957 the Soviet JS-2 tanks underwent capital repairs and modernization for the purpose of improvement of their operational characteristics to the level corresponding to service in the conditions of a peace time. The upgraded tanks received JS-2M designation. In the USSR JS-2M long time were on arms, from 1960th years generally in a reserve. A significant amount of these tanks was established on border with China as motionless long-term weapon emplacements. The part of tanks was used in the same place as mobile weapon emplacements tanks were in parks, and if necessary had to move forward in specially constructed tank entrenchments. Nevertheless, the JS-2M tank officially continued to be among operating samples of armored equipment, periodically tanks of this type were involved in military maneuvers.
Prototype photo:
![[linked image]](../../../s43.radikal.ru/i101/1406/50/b5271cc1b1a7.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s005.radikal.ru/i210/1406/01/1c7ba3d49b69.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s018.radikal.ru/i515/1406/8b/c85a82cf01b4.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s43.radikal.ru/i099/1406/bb/81c788a0280a.jpg)
Stages of construction of model.
I finished elements of a running gear:
Low-quality elements (the part from them will be replaced with self-made details) were removed. Wings were cleared of excess details. I cut through air ducts:
![[linked image]](../../../s019.radikal.ru/i621/1406/c2/e7bacf702607.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s58.radikal.ru/i162/1406/e1/5f6aeea856f0.jpg)
The top superstructure was finished. It carried out a role of the additional anticumulative screen and, at the same time, in it boxes for the tool and personal belongings of crew took place. On air ducts protective grids of Hauler firm are established. Welded seams and traces of cutting of armored sheets are added.
![[linked image]](../../../s003.radikal.ru/i204/1407/da/b7ed8952abf6.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../i062.radikal.ru/1407/a0/9a3fb43fb91b.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../i056.radikal.ru/1407/ee/b6b3e06436ee.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s43.radikal.ru/i101/1407/29/2420e38a562f.jpg)
On JS-2M tracks of a late sample (as on JS-3 and JS-3M tanks) were applied. I remade part of tracks:
![[linked image]](../../../i057.radikal.ru/1407/b2/bc4ef0ca502f.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s09.radikal.ru/i182/1407/e4/cd01871acfe2.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s006.radikal.ru/i213/1407/80/417f3acee56c.jpg)
Details of a running gear were established. Wings are replaced and antisplash "aprons" are established.
Now the model looks so:
![[linked image]](../../../s019.radikal.ru/i610/1407/31/68262422e6f2.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s018.radikal.ru/i502/1407/75/64833508331a.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s40.radikal.ru/i087/1407/42/cc1e8dee91fa.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s017.radikal.ru/i404/1407/f2/59843c531973.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s017.radikal.ru/i415/1407/96/312b7373bd70.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s017.radikal.ru/i407/1407/ac/c2cb7de2faf5.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../s57.radikal.ru/i157/1407/f7/2a7e6f44fcbd.jpg)
So tracks look:
![[linked image]](../../../s017.radikal.ru/i423/1407/d8/41461b1e22ca.jpg)
![[linked image]](../../../i020.radikal.ru/1407/1e/9d4ef31e21bd.jpg)
I will continue.