Tamiya 35093 - 1:35 Russian SU-122

Plastic model kit of the Soviet SU-122 assault gun in 1:35 scale

The SU-122 was one of the first Soviet self-propelled guns built in large numbers — a T-34 chassis married to a heavy 122 mm howitzer inside a low, sloped casemate. Tamiya 35093 reproduces it in 1:35 scale from tooling dating to 1976–77.

The model captures the vehicle's distinctive turretless silhouette: the angled plates of the fighting compartment, the massive howitzer mantlet with its shield and the Christie-type running gear with large road wheels inherited from the T-34. A crew figure brings the finished model to life, and the decal sheet offers a choice of four marking options.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, casemate and running gear parts
• 122 mm howitzer with mantlet and shield
• Vinyl band tracks
• One figure
• Waterslide decal sheet for four marking options (tactical numbers 603, 418, 320 and 319)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35093
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 198 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. This is a kit for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The kit has a classic breakdown and is well within reach of less experienced modellers. The vinyl band tracks make short work of the running gear, and the large flat surfaces of the casemate take airbrushed paint well. It pays to align the barrel carefully in its mantlet, as this is the feature that catches the eye first on the finished model.

For painting we suggest a uniform Soviet protective green (e.g. Tamiya XF-58 Olive Green). Applying the decals over a gloss coat helps to avoid silvering, and a matt varnish makes a good final finish. A wash will bring out the weld seams and plate texture, while pigments can be used to recreate mud on the tracks and lower hull.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out detail
• Optional: weathering pigments for mud and dust

About the vehicle – SU-122:

The SU-122 grew out of the experience of the first period of the war on the Eastern Front, when the Red Army needed a vehicle able to accompany the infantry and destroy fortifications with direct fire. The solution was simple and effective: a low casemate mounted on the T-34 chassis, housing the 122 mm M-30S howitzer, a version of the well-proven M-30 field howitzer.

Series production began in December 1942 and the vehicles quickly reached the front. The heavy high-explosive shell dealt effectively with strongpoints, buildings and field fortifications, although the steep trajectory and low muzzle velocity limited its usefulness against tanks. The SU-122 was a support gun rather than a tank destroyer — that role fell to its successors, the SU-85 and SU-100.

Original vehicle specifications (SU-122):

• Type: assault gun on the T-34 tank chassis
• Armament: 122 mm M-30S howitzer
• Crew: 5
• Combat weight: approx. 30.9 t
• Powerplant: V-2 diesel engine, 500 hp
• Top speed: approx. 55 km/h
• Range: approx. 300 km
• Role: infantry fire support, destruction of fortifications
• Production: from December 1942

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company started out in the timber trade and made wooden models, releasing its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960. Two years later came the 1:35 tank that established the world standard scale for military modelling. The brand is known for precise tooling and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases covering vehicles, artillery and figures. Tamiya instructions are clear and well illustrated, with painting guides referenced to the company's own paint range. Besides kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.