I get the idea that the Soviets threw in everything they could spare when they invaded Manchuria in 1945. I assume Stalin tanks as well, including very early JS3's? I assume the older Tamiya kit was meant to represent the very earliest version, and must have been copied from an example on display somewhere.

I had heard rumors that some JS 3 where sent. However, last time I talked to Neil no evidence of this has been found.

Hi;

"NO" the JS-3 Pike was not sent to Manchuria ! The first deployment outside the Soviet Union was in the Hungarian Uprising in 1956; Pictures of JS-3s can be found that were destroyed in Budapest !

CHEERS; MIKE.

Thanks for the heads up. But was the 2 version sent there?

Hi; Tom.

I don't know what you are referring to; But the JS-3s were most likely the M version ( JS-3M ) Which Trumpeter makes in 1/35, the "3" that Tamiya made was A "P" or Prototype that lacked the side storage panniers !!
Now remember the JS-3M Evolved into the T-10 series !

CHEERS; MIKE.

Haven't heard of any IS-2's either. Think it was mostly T-34's, Sherman's, ISU's and older tanks like the T-26 and BT's that were already stationed in the Far East.

Thanks. I assumed not, as the Japanese tanks still in Manchuria were outdated antiques and most soldiers were people either retired or otherwise unsuited for the regular military-akin to the Volkssturm of 1945 Germany.