1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Gallery

Here's my completed 1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) tank from Trumpeter, as one of two such tanks tested in Polish Army, to replace aging T-34s. However, Poland decided to skip JS-3 tank, and chose T-54/55 over them.
The whole build you can check in previous posts, here's just quick summary. Painted with Model Master and Tamiya acrylics. Stock gun barrel replaced with aluminum one by JB Models. Cut-out turret hatches (unfortunately Trumpeter molded them shut) and scratch built inner side details. Drilled out headlights and added lenses from MV Lenses. Added fuel lines from wire.  Figures came from Preiser's "Soviet Tank Crew" set. Resin cobblestone base. Weathering with pastel and oils.
Here it is:

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - Polish Army (LWP)

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - Polish Army (LWP)

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - Polish Army (LWP)

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1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Completed

Finally I found some time to do long time due update on JS-3. Tank itself is completely assembled and received some weathering using pastels and artistic oils.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - weathering

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Trumpeter - weathering

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1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 7

Time for the update of JS-3 build. The tracks were assembled and mounted on the wheels.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Tracks right side

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Tracks left side

1/72 "Cat & Mouse" MAUS Dragon - Gallery

More pictures from my completed "Cat & Mouse" project. I used model of Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus (Dragon), resin building walls (Tiger Dioramics), resin cobblestone street (own production), crew figures - mix of resin & plastic figures, infantry from WWII German Army with Camouflage Cape set (Ceasar Miniatures).

1/72 Maus Dragon Diorama

1/72 Maus Dragon Diorama

1/72 MAUS Dragon - Completed

Finally Cat & Maus project is finished and I found some time to get the pictures. Everyone knows why Maus (Mouse), but where is cat? Now, you'll know 
Everything assembled and mounted on the base. Here's the result (probably could be better...).

1/72 Maus Dragon Diorama

1/72 Maus Dragon Diorama

1/72 MAUS Dragon - Workbench part 8

Again, a little step forward... I did a little bit more work on city scene. I added mixes of various pigments to get more dusty, full of debris look, followed by weathering with artistic oils. The street lamp received its top and some shattered glass inside.
I also decided to add two German posters from the period (printed on laser printer). Results are below:

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 6

After having assembly and priming done, I could go forward with painting. First I applied pre-shading using Tamiya Black XF-1.

Next, I airbrushed Model Master 4807 Russian Armor Green, lightened up with Tamiya White X-2.

1/72 MAUS Dragon - Workbench part 7

At last I got to the step where more colors start to show up. All the elements received number of acrylic colors, followed by some oil washed (here and there...). Below are the results.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 5

Finally I finished the assembly. The hatch is on the place, and I added blockade for it made from copper wire.

1/72 JS-3 - Assembled turret top

1/72 JS-3 - Assembled turret front

1/72 MAUS Dragon - Workbench part 6

Long time passed by since I did any work on this project... but eventually Little Boss allowed for some activity.
I've added some rubble and debris on the base.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 4

Some work done on JS-3. Gun barrel fixed in place and muzzle brake added.

Gaps on the turret had been filled as well.

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 3

Work on JS-3 continues. After quite a struggle I managed to install metal gun barrel into the mantlet (I had to widen the opening). Having this done, I assembled the turret. Fitting is quite away from snug.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Turret's bottom

Assembled turret revealed rather serious gaps on both sides of the gun mount...

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Gun mount

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 2

I started work on JS-3 by assembling suspension parts.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Suspension

One of disadvantages of this kit are hatches, which Trumpeter molded in shut position. Since I prefer to include figures with my builds, I decided to cut them out.

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter - Opened turret hatches

1/72 JS-3 (IS-3) Polish Army - Trumpeter - Workbench Part 1

Among other modeling subjects, I definitely have a soft spot for Polish armor. While ago, when reading one of the books of that matter, I found the information about two JS-3 (IS-3) tanks delivered for testing to Polish Army (1946/1947). Eventually, Polish Army went straight for T-54/55, skipping JS-3. Both JS-3s are preserved in museums in Poznan and Warsaw.
Having this said, let's focus on the model kit. Trumpeter makes two versions of this heavy tank, JS-3 (which is going to be my victim here) and JS-3m (later version).

1/72 JS-3 Trumpeter

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Completed

Finally Firefly Vc is completed. Crew was mounted in their hatches (placing the driver was really tricky :)). Terrain was made with mixture of pigments, white glue and matt varnish. Vegetation was done with different products from Silflor and Polak companies. Decals came from 1st Polish Armoured Division Part 1 set by Armo (72408). This Firefly received markings of 1st Squadron, 2nd Regiment, 1st polish Armoured Division, in England, during Spring 1944.

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Workbench Part 5

Some family matters prevented me from more often posting, but hopefully everything will get back to normal. However, in meantime I was able to spend a bot of time modeling.
I managed to assemble the crew for Firefly. Parts for them came from Milicast British Tankers, Preiser RAF mechanics, and Airfix donated parts for driver. Here are three musketeers:

Before painting them, I checked if the fit into the hatches

1/72 Abrams 1st Cavalry "Desert Shield" - Dragon

Publishing my builds I almost forgot to mention quite important one for me. It was my first model built after 10 years break, first tank in small scale ever. It was also a present for friend of mine which served in 1st Cavalry Division during Desert Shield & Desert Storm. I decided to build model of his tank during these operations.

Mark in his earlier Abrams

To achieve this goal, I bought in local hobby store 1/72 Abrams model kit by Dragon. In fact I had no choice at all, since it was the only one Abrams in 1/72nd available there.