My friend gave me this DML IS-2 partially built, but he made a crucial
misstep when he built it: by putting the major components of the upper and lower hull assemblies together completely before
assembling the suspension and tracks, thereby making it somewhat difficult to get the tracks to fit in correctly and sag right.
I built the suspension as normal, and fit a small length of track links over the
idlers and drive sprockets. I completely painted the lower hull / suspension, then carefully proceeded with
assembly. The roadwheels and return idlers went together without any
problems and cleaned up pretty easily with sanding.
I solved the problem posed by the prematurely completed hull by building
the tracks in several small, measured lengths of 4-11 links each for the top runs. I was able build up the bottom
run on each side easily enough, and had the pre-fitted track sections come up to a mid point on the drive
sprocket and return roller for each side.
I painted and heavily washed the tracks before going through their assembly. Through much trial and error, I managed to make the small track lengths I'd
put together into shallow, sideways "S" shapes, to fit and curve over and drape between the return idlers, drive sprocket
and return idlers. I glued the tracks in position from the drive sprocket first as it was easier to move the tracks into position
from the idler back towards the drive.
The track links on this kit had a somewhat tighter fit than those on
other DML kits I have built. I would recommend using brushed-on liquid cement rather than tube glue like I did; in some areas
I had a real tough time getting the tracks to adjust and conform the way I needed them to. I think if I had used liquid cement
there would have been more flexibility/play in the track sections and assembly would have been easier.
I am pleased with the deep heavy sag of the tracks, though it may be too much for
some folks. There is a particular photo in the Concord book "Stalin's Heavy Tanks" that I used as a reference for the track
sag, although I did not model that exact tank. I would like to know what you think, so drop me an email!
The better majority of the kit went together without a hitch. Watch out
for the grab handles on the turret, they break quite easily. I personally feel they are thin enough but others may prefer
to use brass wire for them. There is some major filling to do at the gaps where the upper and lower hull come together,
as well as on the turret-where the turret meets the gun mantlet.
I painted the IS-2 with trusty old Tamiya Olive Drab XF-62, nice and
dark. I gave it a couple of dark washes with acrylic black (Americana) and burnt umber(Delta). The weathering was done
by lightening the XF-62 to 3 succesively lighter shades. Then acrylic earth tones (Delta Territorial beige, also lightened;
Aleene's acrylic Dusty Khaki) were drybrushed on to dirty it up good.
The tracks were painted with Americana Charcoal Grey. Washed with Americana
black(dead flat), then drybrushed heavily with Accent Burnt Umber, Delta Iron Oxide, Burnt Sienna, med grey mixed with acrylic
silver and ground up graphite brushed on to get a bit of raw metal showing through.
This kit was made straight out of the box with no aftermarket parts.
