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IS-2
122mm D-25T Barrel for IS-2, IS-3
1:35 comparison
Reviews by Terry Ashley


Introduction:

For this comparison we will look at seven available replacement 122mm D-25T Barrels for IS-2, IS-3 to see how they stack up with the two older barrels from CMK/Hot Barrels are designed for the older Dragon kits. The other four are designed for the newer Tamiya Russian Heavy Tank JS3 Stalin (kit#35211) or Russian Heavy Tank JS-2. Model 1944 ChKZ (Kit #35289) although they could also be used on the applicable Dragon IS-2 kit with some minor modifications if desired.

The seven sets included here are from ABER (set #35 L-69), armorscale (set #B35-046, #B35-096), CMK/Hot Barrels (set #HB023), Jordi Rubio (set #TG-23), RB Model (set #35B36) and Voyager Model (set#VBS0116) with the three sets from armorscale and CMK/Hot Barrels also including additional resin parts for the gun mantlets.

Dimensionally the 1:35 plans in IS Vol.1/II Wydawnictwo Militaria No.273/294 differ from those in Ground Power Magazine #165 with the barrel length being 1.5mm shorter in the Militaria plans, both plans agree on the muzzle brake dimensions. Additional data in the Russian magazines listed below suggest the 1:35 plans in the Ground Power Magazine are correct while those in the Militaria IS books are not and the determinations below are based on that conclusion.

While here I'll make mention of the designation IS as opposed to the commonly used JS. JS is the Western abbreviation for Joseph Stalin but as there is no J in the Cyrillic (Russian) alphabet the correct spelling is Iosif Stalin, hence the appropriate designation would be IS-2, IS-3, IS-122 etc.

ABER #35 L69:

The set consists of the aluminium barrel with the muzzle drilled out to a depth of 12mm that also includes fine rifling and outer threading for fitting the muzzle brake. Plus there is a single brass casting for the muzzle brake which is threaded on the inside and a small etched fret with two parts

The metal barrel has the correct taper along the length and both barrel and muzzle brake dimensions match available data perfectly.
Simple assembly and fitting to the Tamiya kits along with the superbly done muzzle brake makes this an outstanding update set.

See full barrel review

Aluminium barrel and etched parts
ABERABER
Three views of the one piece cast muzzle brake
ABER

armorscale #B35-046:

The set consists of the aluminium barrel and three resin pieces for the mantlet and muzzle brake halves and is not as you would assume designed for the recent Tamiya JS-2 Model 1944 ChKZ (kit #35289) but in fact for the older Dragon IS-2 kits which are not at present being produced.

The barrel has the correct contours but is slightly too short and the muzzle brake is undersized in both length and width with a prominent join seam between the two halves to be eliminated. Some work will be needed to fit the resin mantlet supplied as this is slightly narrower than the kits mantlets it is too replace.

See full barrel review

Resin and metal parts
armorscale


armorscale #B35-096:

The set consists of the aluminium barrel and four resin pieces for the turret front armour, the gun mantlet and muzzle brake halves and is designed specifically for the recent Tamiya JS-2 Model 1944 ChKZ (kit #35289).

The barrel and muzzle brake are the same as with the previous set (#B35-046) while the turret front and mantlet are resin reproductions of the Tamiya kit parts. Thankfully they also include detail enhancements with the turret front having enhanced cast texturing, small casting numbers added to the right side and additional weld seams around the lifting hooks and trunnion caps on each side. The mantlet includes flame cut texturing on both ends for better appearance which all makes for viable replacements for the plastic kit parts.

See full barrel review

Resin and metal parts
armorscale

CMK #HB023:

This set from CMK/Hot Barrels consists of the aluminium barrel with a cast resin muzzle brake and mantlet. Dimensionally the barrel is about 3mm shorter than the plans indicate while the resin muzzle brake is the correct size, give or take a fraction as is the mantlet.
The set is basically designed for the older Dragon IS-2 kits which are not at present being produced.

There is considerable resin residue to be removed from inside the resin muzzle brake before fitting to the barrel and care is needed no to damage the outer lip detail in the process but given the dimensional issues the set is not the best option to begin with.

Resin and metal parts
CMK

Jordi Rubio Jordi Rubio #TG-23:

This another simple update primarily for the older Dragon IS-2 kits and consists of an aluminium barrel and cast white metal muzzle brake. The barrel is the correct length but the tube is a little on the narrow side when compared to the plans and photos.

The muzzle brake is also a little undersized but my example wasn't round but a distinct oval shape. There was also considerable excess metal insdie the muzzle brake that would take quite a bit of effort to remove, the cast texturing on the muzzle brake is also overdone.

In all the dimensional issues and cleanup required on the muzzle brake does little to make this set worthwhile.

Resin and metal parts
Jordi Rubio

RB Model #35B36:

The set consists of the aluminium barrel with the muzzle drilled out and includes inner rifling and outer threading for fitting the muzzle brake. Plus a three part brass muzzle brake which is threaded on the inside and two small etched frets with the raised ridges for around the muzzle brake cut-outs and the small attachment bolts.

The barrel has the correct contours but is about 1.5mm too short while the muzzle brake is is oversized and the incorrect shape as well as lacking any of the cast texturing which is a feature of the large muzzle brake on the D-25T gun.

Attaching the separate brass cut-out ridges will require considerable work and competent soldering skills to get a result but this is all rather futile given the dimensional and detail issues with the parts.

See full barrel review

Barrel parts
RB Model

Voyager Model #VBS0116:

The set is the simplest possible update consisting of a single one piece aluminium barrel and has the tip contoured to accept the Tamiya JS-2 kit muzzle brake while the base is beveled to fit neatly into the kit mantlet with just the two inner locating ridges cut away, that's it.

The barrel length and contours are correct and while there is no replacement muzzle brake the metal barrel eliminates the need to sand the kit barrel join seam to give you a perfectly round barrel.

See full barrel review

Resin and metal parts
Voyager Models

Comparisons:
Assembled muzzle brakes
ABERarmorscale
armorscaleCMK
Jordi RubioRB Model
Images of actual IS2/3 muzzle brakes
ABERABER
The armorscale and CMK sets also include replacement resin mantlets
armorscaleCMK
Barrel lenghts, the lines indicate the correct length as per the Ground Power 1:35 plans and
data from the Russian magazines listed below. The right line equals where the barrel exits the mantlet neck.

IS-2
Muzzle brake size conparison
the lines indicate the correct length as per the Ground Power 1:35 plans and
data from the Russian magazines listed below
.
IS-2
Conclusion:

The standout barrel amongst the group is the superbly done ABER barrel/mantlet (set #35 L-69) with correct dimensions and the one piece cast muzzle brake with cast texturing that requires no assembly other than the small etched neck fittings and is clearly the number one choice.

Second choice would go to the Voyager Model barrel (set#VBS0116) which has the correct dimensions with simple fitting to eliminate the kit barrel join seam. While it doesn't have a replacement muzzle brake it is the only other barrel on offer with the correct dimensions.

Third would be the latest armorscale set #B35-096, not so much for the barrel/muzzle brake which have a few issues as above but mostly for the resin replacement turret front section and mantlet which have enhanced details over the Tamiya kit parts.

Of the other four it's a bit of a hotch potch of dimensional inaccuracies and poor details as outlined in the summaries above and are not really worth considering if accuracy is your top priority.

References
Heavy Tank IS 2/2M
Model Detail Photo Monograph No.6
Rossagraph
ISBN 88-916229-6-7
Book
Heavy Tank IS-2
Ground Power Magazine
#165 - 2/2008
GALILEO Publishing Co.,Ltd.
Book
IS Vol.I
Tank Power Vol.XLVII
Wydawnictwo Militaria No.273
ISBN/EAN: 9788372192738
Book
IS Vol.II
Tank Power Vol.LXIV
Wydawnictwo Militaria No.294
ISBN/EAN: 9788372192943
Book
Heavy Tank IS-2
Modelist Konstruktor
publications 3'98
book
Soviet Tanks
1939-1945

Russian text
book



Page created August 13, 2009