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Tamiya IS-2
rfbaer
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Texas, United States
Joined: June 12, 2007
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Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 10:00 PM UTC
While I wait for room to weather the Magach (long story) I pulled the Tamiya IS-2 out and took the plunge. I'm almost done with the hull, turret details next. Tracks are SpadeAce, RB barrel, saw bracket from a DEF T-34 set, and the rest of the bits are scrap and scratched. Anyone see anything I've done grievously wrong? All my reference pics except a few are still packed or MIA, not sure yet.
IMG_0433 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0434 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0435 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0436 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
celt15
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Wales, United Kingdom
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Posted: Monday, March 27, 2017 - 11:08 PM UTC
I am a fan of Russian armour,liking your work.
Wierdy
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Ukraine / Україна
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Posted: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - 12:35 AM UTC
Hi there!

You might want to roughen the torch cut spots and cast surfaces here and there. Armor plate edges may be enhanced too. Almost all turrets had casting symbols and/or codes on rear wall...
Have a look at this six-page research:
http://tigerscorner.ru/gallery/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73:-1-2-&catid=34:2010-12-02-12-49-34&Itemid=53

HTH, Paul
rfbaer
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Posted: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 08:02 AM UTC
Thanks gents.
Paul, will do, that's exactly the kind of info I needed. Thank you for the link.
Wierdy
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Posted: Friday, March 31, 2017 - 04:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks gents.
Paul, will do, that's exactly the kind of info I needed. Thank you for the link.



You are welcome!
Don't forget about drain holes at the hull sides and central portion of driver's slot splash guard:
https://postimg.cc/image/5ycxv7kzt/
https://postimg.cc/image/cb584z2ch/
http://www.tigerscorner.ru/index.php?topic=298.0
rfbaer
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Posted: Sunday, April 02, 2017 - 08:08 PM UTC
More good stuff, thanks.
In the meantime, I did the tool box, wanted it there since that part of the fender is relatively undamaged.
IMG_0437 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
TimReynaga
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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Posted: Sunday, April 02, 2017 - 09:02 PM UTC
Russel,

Your IS-2 looks awesome! I really like the texturing on the turret. Even unpainted, it looks like cast metal!
rfbaer
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Posted: Monday, April 03, 2017 - 07:48 PM UTC
Thank you.
Turret detailing and a couple of tiny bits here and there are all that's left before paint, I think.......
rfbaer
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Posted: Monday, April 10, 2017 - 08:19 AM UTC
Some things done this week: turret ring drain holes, beefed up weld for driver's splash guard and drain hole (thanks Paul!) and a few rivets on the front fender brackets. I then got back into the turret. I'm being very conservative on the commander's cupola texturing, some pics show it to be smooth like a Sherman turret, and some make it look as if it was quickly carved from wood with a chain saw. Hmmm.....
I did thin the front of the mantlet rain cover, and redo the weld between the two turret roof plates, but I'm leaving the weld around the roof's circumference as is, it's pretty big.
I did however deepen and rough up the torch marks on the turret casting lug removal spots, thinking about weathering down the road and I want them to pop.
Still to add are casting numbers, turret bits and maybe tow cables.
Thanks for looking!
IMG_0439 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0438 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0440 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0441 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Wierdy
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Posted: Monday, April 10, 2017 - 01:50 PM UTC
She's a beauty!
Turret casting numbers and DShK holder on turret side:
http://panzer35.ru/forum/47-14340-8
Keep up the good work!
rfbaer
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Posted: Monday, April 10, 2017 - 08:07 PM UTC
Thanks Paul. The link you supplied showed what appears to be a very late production turret, judging by the mold marks around the MG mount, whereas the pics I have show a relatively smooth surface. Your thoughts?
The link also shows several good views of the modeler's representations of casting plug removal on the TC's cupola, which I may decide to add, not sure yet.
Thanks again for the links, they've been very helpful.
BTW, please pass on my admiration of the skill of the modeler in the last link. That's quality!
Wierdy
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Ukraine / Україна
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Posted: Monday, April 10, 2017 - 10:10 PM UTC
Those casting marks ('beams') and torch cut spots on cupolas are typical features of UZTM turrets throughout the whole production period. So, look at your prototype...

http://tigerscorner.ru/gallery/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73%3A-1-2-&catid=34%3A2010-12-02-12-49-34&Itemid=53&limitstart=1
http://karopka.ru/forum/forum188/topic18562/?PAGEN_1=2

The intricate turret side MG holder clip can be sources from Tamiya JS-3 kit...
rfbaer
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Posted: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 08:26 AM UTC
Will check pics of what I'm actually modeling, many thanks.
rfbaer
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Posted: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 - 07:46 PM UTC
Casting numbers:
IMG_0443 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0442 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
More soon, I hope.
docbrick
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Posted: Thursday, April 20, 2017 - 11:39 PM UTC
Looking great!

I'm working on this kit as well and am enjoying it. Quick question: how did you make the large weld beam joining the turret halves?

rfbaer
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Posted: Monday, April 24, 2017 - 08:24 PM UTC
Thanks Brett. It's a great kit, good fit, passable detail OOB.
That big ridge is actually a mold line, and I made it with the smallest half-round plastic stock I could find, roughly .020", applied over the kit line which is also the kit's turret parts seam (handy!), then built up and blended with MrSurfacer 500. To finish, I roughed it up with a fine-tooth razor saw.
I then found out that each foundry that made turret castings had a different pattern of mold seams, but that the Tamiya kit replicates one of them fairly well. Only problem, I don't know which. Oh well.
rfbaer
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Posted: Thursday, April 27, 2017 - 09:51 PM UTC
Green:
IMG_0447 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0446 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Paint is Krylon camo "green", tough enough to work without primer.
Wierdy
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Posted: Thursday, April 27, 2017 - 11:02 PM UTC
Nice and smooth paintjob, a really solid work in general. Maybe somewhat dark...
Was the wire from your tracks set stiff or reasonably soft? And how cleanly cast they were?
Looking forward to weathering and completion of the project!
rfbaer
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Posted: Saturday, April 29, 2017 - 09:43 PM UTC
Thanks Paul. I took special care to make sure this one was clean before painting. I recently started working with an Oprivisor instead of just reading glasses, and have noticed lots of tiny painting flaws in previously completed models. Oh well.
I agree, paint is dark now, and I also think not "green" enough, but I do have plans to lighten and brighten it.
Regarding the tracks, I used the wire SpadeAce supplied, and was very happy with it: it's stiff enough to insert without drilling each link's holes, the exact thickness necessary to prevent slop in the joined links, and probably because of it's stiffness and the fact that it is coiled for packaging, does not need any kind of glue or adhesive to stay in the links. I'm currently applying Mig track wash to the assembled runs, and occasionally have to push in a pin that has migrated out a mil or so, but have had no other issues.
Each toothed link had two tiny bits of flash at the mold injection point, and if I recall, the split links were flash free. I have a couple of other sets of SpadeAce tracks assembled and ready to use, and one finished, and all were at least as clean as Friuls, if not more cleanly molded. I suspect some of the Friul molds are getting worn.
rfbaer
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Posted: Thursday, May 04, 2017 - 09:56 PM UTC
My first attempt at using oils, the "oil dot" method, for color enrichment and shading/lightening. First off, I tested for colors to use with a hunk of old T-72, painted with the same Krylon green:
IMG_0448 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Then I dove in, lightening on top surfaces and either leaving the lower, shadowed areas alone or adjusting my color mix. I kept the use of white spirit to an absolute minimum in order to leave to green base coat intact, and so far it's working. I'm going to let everything dry really well now, and then shoot a clear coat on before doing any scratches, detail painting or washes.
Please keep in mind my pics show things with less contrast than they actually have. For example, the top of the TC's cupola is actually noticeably lighter than the base.
This pic shows the almost finished turret on the un-started hull, to give an idea of "before and after".
IMG_0450 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
And a hull shot:
IMG_0453 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Comments always welcomed!
rfbaer
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Posted: Sunday, May 14, 2017 - 01:12 AM UTC
Some more painting, blending the oils, then a flat coat followed by highlighting with acrylics:
IMG_0456 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0455 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

rfbaer
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Posted: Thursday, May 25, 2017 - 08:10 PM UTC
Some progress, quite a bit actually: I applied gloss where the Tamiya decals were to be placed, then set the decals, using Tamiya setting solution. After drying, I realized that my gloss had smoothed the texturing I had spent so much time on, and the white was not completely opaque. Rats. So I mixed up some Vallejo green and water soluble putty and re-textured the area under the clear film, then hand painted the white, also Vallejo acrylic. "Berlin" stripes are brushed on, as I wanted a "hand painted" look. After a shot of clear flat, I began the washes, using (guess what) Vallejo "wash for green vehicles", some Mig enamel stains and a home-brew dirt, made with Tamiya tan and alcohol.
I still need to refine the wear areas on the inside of the tracks, and add a wee bit of rust at the turret ring drains, but it's very close. I also need to scare up the length of the radio antenna.
Pics:
IMG_0465 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0460 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0458 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_0463 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Thanks to all who gave help and advise on this one, it was lots of fun to paint.
210cav
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Posted: Thursday, May 25, 2017 - 08:17 PM UTC
Russ-- stunning workmanship-- from casting numbers to paint job. Impressive. Well done
DJ
JSSVIII
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Posted: Friday, May 26, 2017 - 03:25 AM UTC
Great work Russ, I think you brought that color around nicely!
rfbaer
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Posted: Monday, May 29, 2017 - 03:31 AM UTC
Thanks gents.
It feels good to get this far on one and not have a major hiccup.
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