JSU-152 Heavy SPG - Andy Reid

Many improvements have been made to this model, Tamiya’s Russian Heavy Self-Propelled Gun JSU-152 kit #35303.

Construction: Track pins from brass wire were added to the track links on the bow and the Trailing arm bumpers were blanked off. The lump on the pick axe handle (a bracket?) was cut off and replaced with loop wire. Grandt Line rivets were added around the etched screens on the engine deck. Didn’t remove the portion from the mantlet as requested in the instructions. The moulded on bands on the spare fuel tanks were cut off and replaced with plastic strip to give better definition. Weld seams were added to and existing seams improved on the spare fuel tanks, as well as the whole model. Wiring and a light bulb were added to the headlight and wiring added to the horn. Karaya metal and resin tow cables for WWII Russian heavy armour (TCR07) replaced the kit parts. New hooks from brass wire and eyes from solder wire were added to the rear deck to retain cables (as seen in Ground Power No.91). The kit retainers for the tow cables to the upper deck were too fragile so they were replaced with new retainers made from plastic rod and brass wire. A new keeper made from plastic strip was added to hold the shackles on the front left hand side. Fruil metal tracks (ATL54) replaced the kit tracks as the metal tracks look better and are easier to handle. 80 links per side were used to give enough track sag. Lastly, Nemrod’s resin figures (N35027) made up a new crew.

Painting: Following priming with Tamiya surface primer grey, a basic Russian green made up from Andy’s own mixture of Tamiya acrylic paints with sprayed over the entire model. This was followed by a light patchy coat of off white to the upper hull, followed by some dry brushing of basic Russian green. A gloss coat of Tamiya X-22 clear acrylic was added to prepare for decaling. The kit decals were added using Micro Set and Micro Sol and this was followed by another coat of gloss clear to protect the surface from the weathering to follow.

Weathering: Firstly a wash was added using black and burn sienna oil paints thinned with Tamiya’s enamel thinner, to which Liquin was added to aid drying. Dry brushing with a khaki mixture was used to bring out surface details. The tools, tow cables and spare track links were painted and then the entire model was coated in a dull varnish using Aqueous Hobby Color Flat Clear H20. Then came another light dry brushing with the khaki mix. The tracks were primed with the Tamiya surface primer and painted with a mixture made up from Tamiya paints. Next came the mud which was made from a mixture of Easy Work (Earth) obtained from Empire Hobbies at the Queensland Model and Hobby Expo, together with Mig pigments (Dry Mud), static grass, thinners and some old dry herbs that were going to be thrown out. This mixture was added liberally to the lower hull, wheels and tracks. After drying out, these muddy areas were dry brushed with Tamiya’s XF57 Buff. The ground work on the base was treated with the same mud mixture.

References: Ground Power No 91 (with thanks to Brad Littleboy for this reference), and various Web sites:- but beware, as most web sites show postwar modifications and fixtures, so check reliable references.