Russian Heavy Tank, JS-3 (Tamiya)

This is the Tamiya 35 211-3900 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Tank, JS-3 (Tamiya)’.

Russian Heavy Tank, JS-3 (Tamiya)

History

On September 7th 1945, the allied nations were staggered by Russia’s disclosure of their JS-3 heavy tank at a victory parade in Berlin. Although coded a “JS” (Josef Stalin) tank, it had a totally different appearance from its preceding models. The one-piece cast turret had a simple flattened hemispherical shape. The maximum thickness of the turret armor reached 250mm. The front hull was constructed by welding three 120mm thick armor plates, forming a shape like a ship’s bow. The main armament used the same L/43 122mm gun as the JS-2.

The 520 horsepower diesel engine provided 40km/h of maximum speed. With the concerted effort of the talented Russian tank engineers such as N.L Jukhov and Z.A Kotin, the prototype was completed in October 1944 and the mass production began in the following year.

There have been a lot of controversy concerning whether or not the JS-3 saw any fighting during the Berlin campaign. At least one regiment was equipped with the JS-3 by then, but it’s still uncertain if they were committed to the actual fighting. Other sources claim that it was first deployed in combat against the Japanese in Manchuria in August 1945.

Incorporating several modifications, its production was continued until 1951 and about 1,800 JS-3’s were produced. Its simple and effective turret and hull configuration deeply influenced not only the following Russian tanks, but also fighting vehicles of the western nations.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Sturmtiger, 38cm Assault Mortar (Tamiya)

This is the Tamiya 35 177-4100 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Sturmtiger, 38cm Assault Mortar’.

German Sturmtiger, 38cm Assault Mortar

History

A very rare variant of the much feared Tiger I heavy tank, was the “Sturmtiger” assault weapon that mounted a gigantic 38cm caliber mortar on the tank chassis. Development was initiated in August 1943 and was intended for uses against heavily fortified areas. The short barreled L/5.4, type RW61 mortar was originally developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig, for the German navy’s land-based protection against an enemy submarine attack.

In order to withstand the heavy recoil of up to 40 tons, the Tiger I’s sturdy chassis was selected. A decision was made to use only those chassis/hulls that were sent back from the front, so that new production of the tank would not be affected.

A fighting compartment was formed of a boxlike superstructure which was bolted to the lower hull itself. Its armor plate measured 150mm thick at the front and 80mm on the sides. Later, a steel ring counterweight was added to the mouth of the mortar barrel on some vehicles to make elevation aiming easier.

The mortar’s huge self propelled rocket projectile was 149cm long and weighed 330kg. For loading these heavy rockets aboard, a hand cranked crane was mounted to the right aft side of the upper hull. Due to the rocket’s size, storage space was very limited and only 14 shells could be carried.

Conversion production of the Sturmtiger began in August 1944, and by the end of December a total of 18 units had been completed and sent to the front for action during the final stage of the conflict.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Tanks set 2 (Lifecolor)

This is the Lifecolor CS-03 paint set, with colors for ‘German Tanks’.

German Tanks set 2

Content

  • Schwartzgrau/Panzergrau, RAL 7021 (UA 207)
  • Anthrazitgrau, RAL 7016 (UA 208)
  • Signalbraun, RAL 8002 (UA 209)
  • Dunkelbraun, RAL 7017 (UA 210)
  • Rotbraun, RAL 8012 (UA 211)
  • Graugrün/Khakibraun, RAL 7008 (UA 212)

German Tanks set 1 (Lifecolor)

This is the Lifecolor CS-01 paint set, with colors for ‘German Tanks’.

German Tanks set 1

Content

  • Gelbbraun, RAL 8020 (UA 201)
  • Sandgrau, RAL 7027 (UA 202)
  • Grünbraun/Gelbbraun, RAL 8000 (UA 203)
  • Dunkelgelb, RAL 7028 (UA 204)
  • Rotbraun/Schokoladen Braun, RAL 8017 (UA 205)
  • Olivegrün, RAL 6003 (UA 206)

German 3.7cm FlaK 37 auf Selbstfahrlafette (Early version) (Trumpeter)

This is the Trumpeter 01525 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German 3.7cm FlaK 37 auf Selbstfahrlafette – Early version’.

German 3.7cm FlaK 37 auf Selbstfahrlafette - Early version

History

Starting in 1942, the 5-ton Zugkraftwagen was superseded by the 8-ton Zugkraftwagen as the selfpropelled mount for the 3.7cm FlaK. The 3.7cm FlaK 36 was replaced by the 3.7cm FlaK toward the end of 1944.

Starting in 1943, an armor radiator shield and crew cab were introduced as protection against shell fragments and small-arms fire.

Production of the Sd.Kfz.7/2 began in 1942, and continued to the end of the war, with about 1000 produced by the end of January 1945. Initially, there were nine Sd.Kfz.7/2 in each FlaK-Kompanie or Batterie; increased to 12 in October 1943.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

German 3.7cm FlaK 37 auf Selbstfahrlafette (Late version) (Trumpeter)

This is the Trumpeter 01526 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German 3.7cm FlaK 37 auf Selbstfahrlafette – Late version’.

German 3.7cm FlaK 37 auf Selbstfahrlafette - Late version

History

Starting in 1942, the 5-ton Zugkraftwagen was superseded by the 8-ton Zugkraftwagen as the selfpropelled mount for the 3.7cm FlaK. The 3.7cm FlaK 36 was replaced by the 3.7cm FlaK toward the end of 1944.

Starting in 1943, an armor radiator shield and crew cab were introduced as protection against shell fragments and small-arms fire.

Production of the Sd.Kfz.7/2 began in 1942, and continued to the end of the war, with about 1000 produced by the end of January 1945. Initially, there were nine Sd.Kfz.7/2 in each FlaK-Kompanie or Batterie; increased to 12 in October 1943.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

German Panzerjäger-Triebwagen 51 (Trumpeter)

This is the Trumpeter 01516 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Panzerjäger-Triebwagen 51’.

German Panzerjäger-Triebwagen 51

History

It was suggested in mid-1943 to make the Triebwagen 51, but by the time design and construction was completed in 1944-45, it was too late to be of any significant use in WWII. It was equipped with an armored railcar 7.5cm KwK L/48 guns (in Panzer IV/H), which provided strong enough firepower to be used for anti-tank purposes.

There were only three of this railcar made (No. 51-53) and all were found at the factory by Allied forces, but it is questionable whether any ever went into service.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

German Kanonen und Flakwagen (Trumpeter)

This is the Trumpeter 01511 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Kanonen und Flakwagen’.

German Kanonen und Flakwagen

History

For the armored train units of Type BP42, the artillery was increased, following Russian and Polish examples, to four guns, which were not, though, mounted two to a car as in the latter types, but one per separately built ten-sided rotating turret, in order to avoid too-great losses from a direct hit.

The two halves of the train, before and behind the locomotive were identical and consisted of one artillery car with one 10cm le.F.H 14/19(p) gun, one command and infantry car and one artillery and anti-aircraft car with one 7.62cm F.K.295/l(r) and one 2cm anti-aircraft quadruple unit.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer