Hobby Master Archive

The name people seem to use for this Soviet Heavy Tank is the German version JS-2, the correct Soviet version is IS-2 that stands for (Iosef Stalin) in Russian. After Kursk the Soviets realized the German Panthers and Tigers were an improvement over the previous tanks and the T-34 needed upgrading as well as something new. This gave birth to the T34/85 as well as a much improved IS-1. The new tank was an IS-1 with a new turret and the same gun as the T-34/85. The new IS-2 was ready for the battlefield by April 1944 with the 11th Guards Heavy Tank Regiment during the fighting in the Korsun-Shevchenkovsky operation in the Ukraine. Thought to be a heavy tank the Panther.

During the June 1944 operation to knock Finland out of the war, the 21st Army was heavily supported by armor. The 27th Guards Separate Heavy Tank Regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. Dmitri A. Gnezdilov, was one of the first units re- equipped with the early production IS-2s in March 1944. Although the red star is always associated with the Red Army, in fact it was not a very common tactical insignia on tanks in WWII. Here is a rare case of the red star being painted on twice, probably due to the knowledge that Finnish forces were using captured Soviet tanks. The white tactical number presumably indicates 3rd company, 2nd Platoon, 3rd tank. Fighting at Viipuri (Vyborg) took place at the opening phase of the campaign against Finland on the Karelian isthmus in June 1944 with the 27th entering the war- torn city on June 20, 1944. The 27th Guards Separate Heavy Tank Regiment was the only IS-2 unit used in this stage of the offensive. The unit had only received there IS-2s starting in March 1944 just prior to the offensive starting. This tank had unusual markings with the two red stars on the turret, these were rarely seen on a battlefield tank. The 27th Guards Separate Heavy Tank Regiment decided to use the stars as a means of identification since the Finns had captured some Soviet tanks and were using them against the former owners. This was a means of identifying friend or foe.

Hobby Master 1/48 Ground Power Series HG1106 Soviet JS-2, 27th Guards Separate Heavy Tank Regiment 21st Army, Vyborg (Viipur) Finland, 1944 (Limited Edition) ONLY 450 MODELS PRODUCED

Features: Fully assembled True to Scale (1:48) Die-Cast chassis, turret and gun Turret turns Appliqued turret armour Realistic tracks Realistic wheels Highly detailed features Professionally painted in accurate colors Weathering Markings Tampo (pad) applied THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES NOT THE FINISHED MODEL

Specifications IS-2 Crew: 4 Dimensions Length (with gun): 10.74m (35.24 ft) Height: 2.93m (9.61 ft) Weight: 46,250 kg (101963.8 lb)

Performance Engine: V-2 IS 12cyl. Diesel-engine/520hp Speed: 37km/h (22.99 mph) Range: 150km (93.2 mi)

Armor: 20mm - 160mm (.79 in - 6.3 in)

Armament: 1 X 122mm (4.8 in) M1943 D-25T L/43 gun 1 x 12.7mm (.5 in) M1938 DShK 1 x 7.62mm (.3 in) DT/DTM Ammunition: 28 x 122mm shells 2331 x DT rounds 300 x DShK rounds