Has any one here built the Tamiya JS-2 Heavy tank? I might be getting one for Xmas as a gift. Just wondering what you guys think of it. Pros, Cons?
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I built one and I was fully satisfied.
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I can’t speak to accuracy, but I enjoyed mine and think it looks the part. Be aware when assembling the link & length tracks that they are handed left & right. I missed that note and it caused a lot of headaches when it came time to fit the tracks. I added some stowage, removed sections of the fenders, and also bent them in a few places, but other than that it is OOB.
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Thanks. Looks really nice. Does it only come with the Link and Length tracks? And are any figures included.
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Basic build review Fine Scale Modeler: tamiya-1-35-scale-js-2-model-1944-chkz
Including newer formula rubber band tracks and link & length. Two crew figures.
Perth Military Modelling: tamiya #35289 JS-2 in box review with excellent pictures.
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Hello!
Today this is the best IS-2 model.
The kit shows a tank produced around August - December '44.
Apart from minor problems with the commander’s cupola - the viewing slots are too long (easy to correct based on the photo), and the shape is not oval enough, the kit does not have any critical errors.
Tanks of this appearance fought until the very end of the war.
To more accurately reproduce the hardware parts, you need to look at the prototype - all vehicles were equipped with turrets from different factories, which had different nuances of appearance.
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A very nice build,typical Tamiya.
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Thanks guys. Thats what I was looking for. I hope I get one for Xmas now. If not I will have to go out and buy one…
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No, it has a pair of vinyl tracks as well. But I’ve heard people have had problems with them. The Link & Length aren’t that difficult, they were only my second attempt at that type of track. There are assembly jigs for the top run. I lined the jig with Tamiya masking tape as suggested and applied glue sparingly. It was surprisingly easy to assemble them. The kit does come with these two figures.
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Hi Taffy3,
I am getting ready to build this kit that I bought some time ago.
Where did you get, or how did you make the clear lens on the headlight, please?
I have spent so much time looking for clear lenses but all sources seem to have gone out of business - can’t find anything.
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ET Model seems to include a clear lens on their set… together with a bunch of PE:
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Thanks, varanusk.
The picture does not really indicate whether it is clear resin or not. I send them email inquiry - maybe they will answer.
It is a pretty expensive item with all the PE stuff that I really don’t want.
I would prefer more clear stuff - the periscope lenses.
It is a shame that Tamiya degraded this otherwise nice kit by not providing clear parts where needed.
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From this photo I would say it’s clear, and it would not make sense to provide it otherwise:
In any case, you can also make a mold of the original plastic part and re create it with clear plastic/resin/your choice of material
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E.T. Model confirmed to me that the resin lens is transparent. So that is good to know.
However, I don’t want to pay for the PR stuff that I don’t want.
I found another source of clear lenses - AK Interactive had them, and luckily they still seem to be available in a couple of places for $10 AUDollars. I may be able to get white ones too -
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I painted the inside of the headlight silver and then used a drop of clear five minute epoxy to make the lens. Just keep the headlight level long enough for the epoxy to set.
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I already ordered the AK lenses. White (clear). As the picture shows, they have that special pattern that would be too difficult to imitate.
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Just for the record and benefit of others - the AK lens products are not like lenses at all.
They are just blobs of clear plastic with no pattern, too curved and thick to look like headlight lenses, and not transparent. They are coated on the back with chrome foil or something and act as mirrors.
A complete waste of money if you want to replace an opaque headlight lens with a clear one.
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Thanks, Taffy3, I missed your reply earlier.
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