1:35 Js-2cm ChKZ (dragon)

The real subject

The JS-2 is a Soviet heavy tank of the Second World War, named after Joseph Stalin and armed with a 122 mm gun. It was built to break through prepared defenses, which is reflected in its heavy armor and its massive angled hull. The abbreviation ChKZ in the name refers to the Chelyabinsk plant where the Soviet heavy tanks were made. The vehicle carries a whole series of grab handles, tool brackets and sheet-metal covers, and it is on those that the limits of injection-molded plastic show up most.

What the set contains

A photo-etched metal fret with additional parts for a model of the JS-2 in 1:35 scale, planned around the kit from Dragon. The parts are cut from the fret, bent along the etched score lines and fitted to the model in place of the thicker plastic parts. The exact extent of the fret and the placement of the parts are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Cut the parts off with a sharp knife on a hard surface, and hold them in the tweezers by the edge, not by a face that could be dented. Photo-etch can also be shaped into a curve; it is enough to roll it over the round shank of a drill bit. Metal is glued with cyanoacrylate glue, as cement for polystyrene will not hold on it; wipe any excess glue away before it dries, because once dry it leaves a glossy stain. Before painting, wash the parts, degrease them and give them a coat of primer.

Who it is for

For modelers of Soviet armor who want to swap the coarse plastic elements on a heavy tank for metal ones of a matching thickness. The work assumes a part-built model, tweezers and a steady hand. The kit itself, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.