Tamiya JSIII finishing options

[nfafan]

Hello all,

 

While I am tempted to just say what the heck and build this as if it were part of the battle for Berlin, I'd just as soon build it as a more accurate combat version.

 

Does anyone know if the Tamiya version can be built OOTB as a vehicle that "seen combat"? Manchuria 1945? Mid-East 1948-50's?

Indo-Paki conflict?

TIA for any ideas!

Steve

[Armored Marine]

At the moment, I haven't done the research yet, but I'm inclined to say yes. But for me, part of the modelling experiance is to research the subject out. Building the model out-of-the-box is fine. Building a subject from history is more of a learning thing. The JS III may have had modifications performed on it after they were sold off. You'll also have to paint it for it's new enviroment. The hardest part is looking for decals, sometimes those do not exist. --And adding details such as baggage, equipment, etc. outside the turrent. If you research and find that the model is much different than the subject, for example you have an M47, but you need the M47-M used by Pakistan, you'll need to customize an M47 by using M48A3 or M60 pieces and combine them, or use one of the aftermarket resin conversions, such as AEF Designs. (www.aefdesigns.com)

 

Ed

[Bob Krenzel]

I am relatively certain that the JS-III saw action against the Israelis, possibly as late as 1973. I would focus there. The Arab armies kept them around presumably because of the massive armor and the fact that the 122mm gun could smack down pretty much anything the Israelis could throw against it (assuming the JS-III gunner could hit what he was aiming at).

[nfafan]

Originally posted by Bob Krenzel:

I am relatively certain that the JS-III saw action against the Israelis, possibly as late as 1973.  I would focus there.  <snip>

 

I was thinking of that as an option.

 

Do you happen to know if the Tamiya JS3 can "work" as a mid-east version? What I'm wondering is if I have to mod the kit any.

 

Else, did the Isreali's use any they captured against the Arab armies?

Thanks!!

Steve

[nitflegal]

Out of curiosity, since I'm getting the same kit for Christmas, are there any good references of the tank as he would have looked in Berlin, 1945?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

[Mark Walter]

A good and inexpensive reference is the Museum Ordnance Special on the JSIII published by Darlington. It's around $8.00 and covers all the modifications done the the tank. The tamiya kit is for a very early version. All the ones used the the mideast would have been updated to JSIIIM. A few things I can remember that were added to the M version are the front fenders have reinforcement ribs and there are stowage box doors on the hull sides.

[nfafan]

Originally posted by nitflegal:

Out of curiosity, since I'm getting the same kit for Christmas, are there any good references of the tank as he would have looked in Berlin, 1945?

Thanks,

Matt

 

Hi Matt,

If true, you'll have a nice Xmas present waiting under the tree!

 

Anyways, I like to build combat tanks, that is, tanks that have seen action. EX: building an M-41? - then build it as an ARVN version. M-47? - Paki or Jordanian, and so on, etc...

 

That said, as near as I can tell, the early JS3's likley saw light combat against the Japanese in Manchuria. And the (unlikely) rumor of some seen in Berlin. As the others have posted, a later JS3 would have correctly seen action at the hands of the Egyptians or as captured Isreali. I can't bear to convert this kit and paint it "desert yellow".

 

So...

 

If I were to build my early JS3 as a Manchurian front tank, I'd go straight "Russian green"...

But I will more likely take some editorial license and do a Berlin-buster, in the colors we have seen the T34s, JS2's, ISU-152s, etc; "Russian green" with white air recognition bands around the turret.

In either case I would leave off the Dshuka(sp?) 12.7mm AA gun (as Allied air superiority was long established) and add little if any battle damage, as these would be the long-range support tanks, and not the "nimble" tip-of-the-spear T34s leading the attacks.

 

All JMHO, but I like to build "for the fun of it".

[Jacques]

Or do a dio of a JS3 on a japanese tankette..."light" combat indeed.

 

"Hey comrade, did you feel a bump?"