Tamiya 35303 - 1:35 Russian Heavy Self-Propelled Gun JSU-152

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the Soviet JSU-152 heavy self-propelled gun

Tamiya 35303 reproduces the JSU-152 (also known as the ISU-152) – a Soviet heavy self-propelled gun built on the IS heavy tank chassis. A powerful 152 mm gun-howitzer was mounted in a fixed, simply constructed casemate, capable both of fire support and of engaging the enemy's heavy armoured vehicles.

The model is made from new tooling, partly from parts shared with the JS-2 tank model. The engine cover is reproduced using photo-etched parts, and the torsion-bar suspension is made easier to assemble by an included alignment jig that ensures the swing arms sit evenly. Two track types are provided.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull and casemate parts and a clear sprue
• 152 mm ML-20S gun-howitzer
• Photo-etched parts (engine cover)
• Two track types: vinyl belt and individual links
• Tow cables
• Torsion-bar suspension with a jig to aid swing-arm alignment
• Two figures: commander and loader
• Decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35303
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 258 mm, width: 92 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (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 the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders. The torsion-bar suspension, with its included alignment jig, allows the swing arms to be set evenly, ensuring the tracks sit correctly. The link tracks allow the sag effect to be reproduced, with the vinyl belt tracks as a faster alternative. The photo-etched engine cover is best attached with cyanoacrylate glue.

For painting, the typical Soviet protective green (e.g. the 4BO shade) is recommended, matching the Berlin 1945 option. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail and recesses benefit from a wash and dry-brushing.

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 and metal parts
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – JSU-152 (ISU-152):

The JSU-152, known in the original as the ISU-152, was a Soviet heavy self-propelled gun that entered service in late 1943. It used the chassis of the IS heavy tank, carrying a fixed, simply constructed casemate with a 152 mm ML-20S gun-howitzer. This gun could deliver both long-range indirect fire and close-range direct fire.

The heavy 152 mm shells made the JSU-152 a dangerous opponent not only for fortifications but also for the heaviest German tanks. Its ability to destroy Tigers and Panthers earned the vehicle the nickname “Zveroboy” (“beast killer”). It first saw combat in larger numbers during Operation Bagration in the summer of 1944, and later took part in the assault on Berlin, among other actions.

Original specifications (JSU-152 / ISU-152):

• Length with gun: approx. 9.18 m
• Width: approx. 3.07 m
• Height: approx. 2.48 m
• Combat weight: approx. 46 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 152 mm ML-20S gun-howitzer
• Secondary armament: 12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun (some vehicles)
• Powerplant: V-2 diesel engine, approx. 520 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 37 km/h
• Range: approx. 220 km
• Armour: up to approx. 90–120 mm
• Production: from late 1943

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. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why 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.