Tag Archives: heavy tank

Russian Heavy Tank JS-7 (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 05586 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Tank JS-7’.

Russian Heavy Tank JS-7

History

In 1948, the IS-7 heavy tank was developed. Weighing 68 metric tons, thickly armoured and armed with a 130mm C-70 gun, it was the largest tank ever built by the USSR.

Although it was in many ways an innovative design, it was never accepted for mass production due to its cumbersome size and the very impractical layout of its fighting compartment

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-1S (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 01566 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Tank, KV-1S’.

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-1S

History

KV-1S – A lighter variant of late 1942 with higher speed, but thinner armour. A new, smaller, cast turret and redesigned rear hull were used. 1370 were built.

In response to criticisms, the lighter KV-1S (Russian language: КВ-1С) was released, with thinner armour and a smaller, lower turret in order to reclaim some speed. Importantly, the KV-1S also had a commander’s cupola with all-around vision blocks, a first for a Soviet heavy tank.

However, the thinning-out of the armor called into question why the tank was being produced at all, when the T-34 could seemingly do everything the KV could do and much more cheaply. The Soviet heavy tank program was close to cancellation in mid-1943.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

Russian JS-4 Heavy Tank (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 05573 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian JS-4 Heavy Tank’.

Russian JS-4 Heavy Tank

History

Originally developed in competition with the IS-3, the IS-4 (Object 245) was similarly an extensive redesign of the IS-2. The hull was lengthened, with an extra set of road wheels added and an improved engine. Both the hull and turret were uparmoured.

Several alternative armaments were explored in paper studies, although ultimately the IS-2’s original 122mm gun was retained. An effort was also made to make use of technical data derived from study of the German wartime Panzer V Panther tank, which influenced the layout of the IS-4’s engine cooling system.

The tank was approved for mass production in 1948 but due to disappointing speed and mobility only 200 were build. Most of these were transferred to the Russian Far East in 1950 in preparation for the planned Soviet intervention in the Korean War. When this operation was aborted the tanks nevertheless remained stationed in the region until their decommissioning in the 1960s.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I, Ausf E (Late version) (Tamiya)

Posted on by

This is the Tamiya 35 146-4000 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I, Ausf E – Late version’.

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I, Ausf E – Late version

History

At the time of its introduction in 1942, the German Tiger I was the most powerful and sophisticated tank available anywhere in the world, and is still considered a weaponry masterpiece of that era. Most of the Tiger I’s were produced by Henschel, a heavy industry manufacturer in Germany. The later versions of the Tiger I went into production in January 1944, almost two and a half years after its debut. Many features like the thick armor plating, measuring up to 100mm in thickness at some areas, remaining unchanged.

Roadwheel improvements consisted of replacing the rubber rimmed roadwheels with new wheels that ran on steel rims, which were insulated from the hub by two rubber rings clamped between disc-shaped pressings. Changes made to the turret were: a commander’s cupola with seven vision ports, an anti-aircraft machine gun ring, and a side pivoting hatch; a loader’s hatch with periscope; the smoke exhaust outlet relocated to the center of the turret; and internally mounted “S” mine dischargers.

The 88mm KwK36(L/56) main gun was considered for replacement with the awesome KwK43(L/71) cannon, as used on the King Tiger, but was never accomplished. It has been said that one Tiger I tank was equal to five Sherman tanks on the battlefield and it was the most feared and respected of all German tanks during the conflict.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

Russian Heavy Self Propelled Gun, JSU-152 (Tamiya)

Posted on by

This is the Tamiya 35 303-4300 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Self Propelled Gun, JSU-152’.

Russian Heavy Self Propelled Gun, JSU-152

History

Beast Killer – In the latter half of WWII, in order to counter German tanks, the Russian army used the JS-2 heavy tank’s chassis to create the JSU-152 heavy self-propelled gun. It featured improved armor protection and a simple superstructure which housed a massive ML-20S 152mm howitzer.

They officially entered combat in the summer of 1944 during Operation Bagration, where Russian soldiers gave it the nickname Zveroboy (beast killer) due to its ability to destroy Tiger I and Panther tanks. The JSU-152 proved its effectiveness against both tanks and fortifications all the way to the Battle of Berlin and greatly contributed to the Russian victory.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

  • Hobbymesse 2012

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger Ausf. E (Italeri)

Posted on by

This is the Italeri 6471 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger Ausf. E’.

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger Ausf. E

History

Tiger I is the common name of a German heavy tank developed in 1942 and used in World War II. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E, often shortened to Tiger.

It was an answer to the unexpectedly impressive Soviet armour encountered in the initial months of the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union, particularly the T-34 and the KV-1. The Tiger I gave the Wehrmacht its first tank mounting the 88mm gun, in its first armoured fighting vehicle-dedicated version, the (KwK 36).

During the course of the war, the Tiger I saw combat on all German battlefronts. It was usually deployed in independent tank battalions, which proved to be quite formidable.

Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-8 (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 01565 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Tank, KV-8’.

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-8

History

KV-8 (42) – A KV-1 fitted with the ATO-41 flame-thrower in the turret, beside a machine gun. In order to accommodate the new weapon, the 76.2mm gun was replaced with a smaller 45mm Gun M1932, though it was disguised to look like the standard 76mm.
Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Russian Heavy Self Propelled Gun, SU-152 Howitzer (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 01571 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Self propelled, SU-152 Howitzer’.

Russian Heavy Self propelled, SU-152 Howitzer

History

The SU-152 (СУ-152) was a Soviet self-propelled heavy howitzer used during World War II. It mounted a 152mm gun-howitzer on the chassis of a KV-1S heavy tank.

Later production used IS tank chassis and was re-designated as ISU-152. Because of its adopted role of as an impromptu heavy tank destroyer, capable of knocking out the heaviest German armoured vehicles; Tiger, Panther, and Elefant tank destroyers—it was nicknamed Zveroboy, “beast killer”.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-2 (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 00312 kit in 1/35 scale, of the Russian Heavy Tank, KV-2′.

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-2

History

Produce at the same time in the M1941 KV-1 type, the KV-2 (Also be called the year in M1941 KV-2 type) also threw in the production.

The KV-2 characteristic is its quick-fried tower shape. The quick-fried tower that equip 152 millimeters of howitzers reports the hexagon keeps the square form, resembling an enormous box.

But, it is said because of the excess, if not on the horizontal plane, dry by heat the tower connect to revolve all and very difficult. Because of such weakness, KV-2 is in actual battle, only used for proceeding to the virtuous soldier the thermodynamic power inhibit, but need not in the battlefield that hour of backstroke break war.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-122 (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 01570 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Tank, KV-122’.

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-122

History

The KV-13 program’s KV-85 prototype was accepted for production as the IS-1 heavy tank.

After testing with both 100mm and 122mm guns, the D-25T 122mm gun was selected as the main armament of the new tank, primarily because of its ready availability and the effect of its large high-explosive shell when attacking German fortifications.

The KV-122 replaced the KV-85, and began mass production as the IS-2.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

German Sturmmörser Tiger mit 38 cm RW 61 (Italeri)

Posted on by

This is the Italeri 0299 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Sturmmörser Tiger mit 38 cm RW 61’.

German Sturmmörser Tiger mit 38 cm RW 61

History

During World War II the German Army had to combat frequently fortified positions or urban defense centers. Due to tactical reason – the troops were at short distance to the enemy lines – artillery and air support could not be engaged.This led to the development of the “Sturm” version of the “Tiger” heavy tank. Onto the heavy-duty chassis the efficient and unique 38 cm mortar was mounted, which had a short range but enormous fire power.

Only few units of the Sturmtiger were built and were mainly used in 1994 at the Eastern front.

Source: Italeri website

Manufacturer