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

Click READ MORE to see all the pictures.

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 Pz.Inz. 140 4TP Polish Light Tank - Modell Trans

Germany based manufacturer Modell Trans released resin model kit of Polish 4TP light tank.
Model kit is packed into small clear plastic box.

1/72 T-34 Factory / Stash - Dragon, UM, Revell, Planet Models

I was stashing various T-34 model kits for a while, for planned future builds. Recently we were talking  with my friend from our local modeling club about different T-34 variants and respective model kits in braille scale. At the end, me and my buddies John and Tom, we took the challenge to build at least one T-34 (each one of us), which should be completed for NOVA Model Classic.
After a while, I started checking my stash for T-34s, since I knew I have some...
Here's what I found :)

I checked with John & Tom which one they build, and decided the same model kit will be my first casualty.

I hope it will be quick and fun build (Maybe this time...). Stay tuned!

Magazine miniReplika #73 feat. 1/72 Hetzer in Polish Army

I'm happy to announce Mini Replika magazine issue 73 is released. It features my build article about 1/72nd Hetzer used by Polish Army in 1945.

Build is based on Italeri's Hetzer model kit (re-issued ESCI kit), with some necessary modifications.
Featured model, brought me gold medal at AMPS International Show 2011. Here it is:

Old Dominion Open - IPMS Richmond

On February 25th I attended Old Dominion Open Hobby Show, hosted by IPMS Richmond.
It was good show, a lot of good models on the tables, and quite impressive vendors' area.
As always it was great occasion to meet some old friends, and make some new ones.
The only unhappy  thing was how armor categories were divided :( My beloved braille scale armor was joined with 1/48th scale in Tracked Armor Vehicles, and to make it worse in Armored Cars, Softskin and Artillery categories it was placed together with 1/35th. Very unfortunate decision, which may keep away braille scale modelers from this show.
However I was quite lucky, and 3 of my models received awards in other categories.

28mm Demolition Team

1/72 Fighting For Vodka!

1/35 M4 Early Sherman, Italy, 1944 

It was good start of 2012 season, and I hope it will get better along the way.

1/35 M4 Sherman Early Tamiya - Workbench Part 4

While working on Firefly, I also gave some attention to bigger Sherman. I slowly started weathering process, which is in its very initial stage. I applied oil wash and first filter from Winton artistic oils.

1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc Dragon - Workbench Part 4

Since Firefly build is coming close to an end, I decided to start working on the base for it. I sculpted base it using DAS (air drying sculpting clay). After shaping general terrain layout, I added tracks impression on the ground, with DS tracks from another Firefly... It still needs some more detail, but here's general idea of it.