#00316 Russian Heavy Tank IS-3M

This kit represents an IS-3M upgraded to IS-3M standard, as was done to most surviving Soviet Army IS-3s commencing in 1957.  The kit includes the updated T-10 style road wheels, revised fenders with sand shields and smoke canisters on the upper rear hull.  It does not, however, include the later reinforced tracks that were most commonly fitted to post-war vehicles, nor does it depict all of the updated hull underside details such as the lowered floor for the transmission compartment.

Step 1 of the instructions deals with the running gear. As noted above, the road wheels and idlers are the correct T-10 type with revised hubs and ten bolts securing the central hub cover to the wheel.  The sprockets feature separate hubs to better depict the undercut around the hub.

Step 2 covers the assembly of the suspension and lower hull.  The lower hull tub includes the correct access ports on the sloped and horizontal sections and lacks the external 'blowtorch' style engine heater port, which is correct for an IS-3M since the oil circulation system was provided with internal heating on this variant.  However, most IS-3s by this time had the underside of the transmission compartment modified by cutting out the floor plate and welding another lapping plate over the hole, thereby increasing the air space below the transmission by 30mm to improve airflow and hence cooling.  The kit lacks this feature, but it can be added from styrene sheet if you wish.  The kit also includes only three of the four oil drain ports seen on the underside of the IS-3M's transmission compartment.

The suspension swing arms, shock absorbers, idler and sprocket mounts are all separate components.  The front and rear tow hooks are also separate components, and lack the spring loaded retaining clips that held the tow cables in place.  These can be added from scrap styrene, brass or aftermarket items.

Step 3 attaches the running gear to the hull, though I recommend leaving it separate until after painting.

The kit includes the two spare track links mounted on the lower rear hull, along with their mounting brackets.  As noted above, the tracks are not the type commonly seen on the IS-2M and IS-3M but this is not noticeable since their outer faces are hidden when they are in place.

Step 4 deals with the assembly of the upper rear hull and engine deck.  The upper rear hull plate features the correct offset latches on the two small circular maintenance hatches, and the rear fenders are the updated type fitted to the IS-3M.  Note that the lifting eyes on the upper hull and engine deck are molded integrally with the hull sections and should be drilled out for better accuracy.

Step 5 continues the assembly of the upper hull, adding the upper hull sides with the built-in stowage lockers, the sand shields and driver's hatch.  The external fuel cell on the forward right-hand fender is included, but the kit lacks the stowage box for the fuel pumping equipment often seen on the forward left-hand fender.  The stowage bracket for the towing shackles (part C15) is poorly depicted and lacks its upper section.  This part should be replaced using scrap styrene, brass or an aftermarket part.

The kit includes the two sets of two spare track links mounted on the glacis.  Again these are not the correct type for the IS-3M but the discrepancy is not visible once they are in place.

Step 6 adds a number of details to the forward upper hull including the headlamps, position-keeping lamps, forward fender supports and the protective skirts around the turret ring.

Step 7 adds the external fuel tanks and smoke canisters to the rear hull.  The fuel tanks are each molded in two halves with separate ends.  The grab handles are molded integrally with the ends.  The mounting brackets are separate parts, as are the quick release mechanisms that secured the tanks in place.  The smoke canisters are similarly molded.

Step 8 deals with the tracks.  As mentioned above, these are the single link type commonly seen on IS-2s and ISUs from mid-1944 onward.  However, most post-war vehicles carried a reinforced track with a stiffener across the center of each link, and holes in the sides of the hollow guide teeth in order to allow built-up mud and debris to exit the interiors of the teeth.  These tracks are available from Accurate Armour as set T48, from Friulmodel as ATL-34 and Modelkasten as SK-9.

Step 9 simply joins the upper and lower hulls together.  I recommend altering the assembly sequence however, to join the upper and lower hulls immediately after Step 2.

Step 10 begins the assembly of the turret.  The turret shell (part B1) includes the correct vertical radio antenna base fitted to all but the very earliest IS-3 turrets.  Lifting hooks, hand rails, episcope covers and the torsion bar for the turret hatches are all molded as separate parts and added to the main shell.

The 12.7mm DShK machine gun is comprised of 9 parts including the mount and ammunition box.  The gun barrel will require drilling out.

Step 11 adds the main gun, mantlet and turret hatches.  The hatches include interior detail such as operating handles and Mk.IV vision devices, allowing you to pose the hatches open if you wish.  However, there is no interior detail and no bases for crew figures are provided, so you will need to attach a piece of styrene strip or a similar base across the inside of the turret to support any crew figures you wish to mount in the hatches.

The gun barrel is molded in two halves, with the halves of the TsAKB muzzle brake molded integrally with the barrel halves.  The kit parts are reasonably well detailed but you may wish to replace them with an aftermarket barrel.

Step 12 completes the turret assembly by adding the DShK machine gun and its ring mount.  The kit includes the front barrel clamp used when the gun was stowed on the side of the turret, but lacks the rear stowage bracket.  This can be easily added from brass or styrene rod though.

The kit includes the rain gutter fitted to the rear of the turret on almost all IS-3s, to prevent rain water from running down under the turret lip into the aperture for the turret exhaust fan.  This part is rather thick however and should be sanded down or replaced with brass strip.

Step 13 completes the model by attaching the turret to the hull.

The kit includes two marking options:

• An Egyptian vehicle from the 4th Armored Division in overall sand yellow, as photographed at a military parade in Cairo on 23 June 1956
• A Soviet Army vehicle from an unknown Guards unit in overall Russian Green

In summary, the kit provides a reasonable representation of an IS-3M.  Though lacking the finesse of Tamiya's IS-3 kit, it can be built into an excellent model with careful assembly and some aftermarket parts.