The kit was quite an easy build.

What I need to do:
1. attach the grab handles
2. attach the external fuel tanks
3. attach the tracks (tracks were a pain. You need to remove 2 ejector pin marks on each track)






Some questions:
1. I'll be using the scheme from Berlin, there is an optional MG available that can be mounted on top of the tank, question is, would it be historically correct to put it in?
2. Dragon did not state how many links on each side. Know the number of links for each tracks?

Oh my... it's ISU-152 not Su-152. Mods, please change the title. Sorry..

Yes, the MG will be historicaly correct !
Nice build so far !

Looking good so far Ralph, keep us posted

Ralph, nice build so far. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

As for the tracks, you want 87-90 links for each side.
Source

Thanks guys! Will resume work when I have time.

Ralph there is something that all the Dragon/DML kits in the Russian ISU JSUseries of tanks need, more space between the tracks and fenders, when you go to put the tracks on you will notice there is almost no room between the hull fenders and tracks thats their fault, if you want before you glue the hull together just ad 1/16 of an inch of styrene plastic all the way around its easy but you will have to do a some putty work, thats its one major fault, I really like those big Russian tanks, Nice build so far.

Thanks rv! Yeah, judging from the fotos, it sure is really tight in there. I'll see throught it

BTW, about the attached MG on top, was it primarily used as an AA? Cause I found it it points upwards :-) :-)

I believe you are wright it was used as an AA gun, i guess it was also used to defend against troops. Well off to work i go.

Yes, the Dushka was a sort of expediant mounted AA gun. It was initially thought up for and designed to be added to the IS-II series, which by default makes it a usable item on the ISU series, but by the time they were put into service, the main threat they were set up for, the German Airforce, was not nearly the same level of threat it had been before. however, the gun was a good anti-personel piece that was usefull for the assault guns (as learned at kursk by the failure of the Ferdinands/Elelphants). It also gave the ISU-152 more flexability other than just using the "God has spoken" main gun.

As for the model, looks good! Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Also might want to consider blanking off your sponsons as you can see light thru your hatches and onto the roadwheels. Easy enough if you haven't glued your upper and lower hull halves together yet. Looks good so far. "Q"

She's almost ready to roll ;D





Applied primer and awaiting it to cure. Would be able to paint it this weekend. I opted to add the external MG, but it hasn't been worked yet. The fuel tanks are just hanging. I'll paint them separately. I wanted to add preshading but I was thinking if it would make the weathering much better. Ideas?

And now for the grand finale:



Arrgghhhh! 2 ejector pin marks on each side! Imagine, I hafta sand each of them? There were about 85-90 tracks on each side, that means I have to erase 360 ejector pin marks? This is disturbing >_>

Ciao Ralph,
Your usual excellent work!! Congratulations. I really look forward to seeing this one finished. I assume that's a pretty big model.
Ciao for now
Rob

Looks good so far Ralph, you can save yourself some time by not sanding the track link bottoms that will contact the ground you won't see them anyway, you can also not sand the inside ones that contact the drive sprocket or idles wheel that should save a few more, hope this helps, i have the same kit so i will be feeling your pain soon.

Thanks Rob. Wow! That's too much of you

rv, thanks again. Your tip would be of very great help

Wow looking great so far, nice and clean, no glue marks, what ever your doin, KEEP IT UP!

It's looking great Ralph!

Regarding the marks... one way you could do is just to weather the tracks with mud... lots of mud... that will help cover the marks... haha..

Thanks guys!

Ike, I dunno about mud, since I'm making a Berlin dio, I guess mud would look out of place :-) :-) :-)

I see... maybe the other guys might have some suggestions that might help minimize the task of cleaning up those marks... otherwise.. all the best in the clean up..

Do keep us posted!

Looks good. Good luck with the tracks. Beware of those darn ejector pins.

Brian