Tamiya 35289 - 1:35 Russian Heavy Tank JS-2

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the Soviet JS-2 heavy tank Model 1944 ChKZ

Tamiya 35289 reproduces the JS-2 – one of the most powerful Soviet heavy tanks of WWII, in the Model 1944 version built at the Chelyabinsk works (ChKZ). The design was conceived as a breakthrough tank whose armour was meant to withstand fire from the German 88 mm gun and whose armament could engage Tigers and Panthers.

The model is made from new tooling, capturing the vehicle's massive silhouette and the characteristic one-piece rounded hull front typical of ChKZ production. The turret and hull are covered with a realistic cast texture, and the engine air-intake grilles at the rear of the hull are reproduced using photo-etched parts.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and fittings
• 122 mm gun with a realistic cast texture on the turret and hull
• Photo-etched parts for the engine air-intake grilles
• Two track types: vinyl belt and individual links (with sag effect)
• Two figures: commander and loader torso
• Decal sheet for four marking options (Soviet, Czechoslovak and Polish units)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35289
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 282 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (link-by-link tracks, photo-etched parts)

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Thanks to excellent part fit, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders. The link-by-link tracks allow the sag effect to be reproduced along the straight runs, with the vinyl belt tracks as a faster alternative. Fitting the photo-etched grilles calls for care and cyanoacrylate glue.

For painting, the typical Soviet protective green (e.g. the 4BO shade) is recommended, supplemented by the markings of the chosen option. The cast texture of the turret and hull responds nicely to a wash and dry-brushing. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched parts
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash and, optionally, pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – JS-2 (IS-2):

The JS-2, known in the original as the IS-2 (after Joseph Stalin), entered service in 1944 as a Soviet heavy tank intended to break through fortified positions and engage the enemy's heavy tanks. It was armed with a hard-hitting 122 mm gun and protected by plates reaching up to 120 mm in critical areas.

The Model 1944 version is distinguished by its characteristic muzzle brake and the sloped, one-piece front hull armour that improved its resistance to fire. The tank was built among others at the Chelyabinsk works (ChKZ). Compared with its predecessor, the KV-1, it offered considerably stronger armament and better protection.

The JS-2 fought in the final phase of the war on the Eastern Front, and afterwards also served in allied armies, including the Polish Army and Czechoslovak forces. The included decals let you recreate the markings of these units.

Original specifications (JS-2 Model 1944):

• Length: approx. 9.90 m (with gun)
• Width: approx. 3.09 m
• Height: approx. 2.73 m
• Combat weight: approx. 46 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 122 mm D-25T gun (developed from the A-19 corps gun)
• Secondary armament: 7.62 mm DT machine guns and a 12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun
• Powerplant: V-2 diesel engine, approx. 520 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 37 km/h
• Range: approx. 240 km
• Armour: up to 120 mm

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. Since 1960, when it introduced its first plastic kit, the brand has steadily built a reputation based on exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit. As a result, its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.