Cyber-Hobby

1/35 JS-1 / JS-2

Kit Number: 9108 (Orange Box)

Reviewed by  Michael Delano, IPMS# 45465

MSRP: $33.30 Review Kit Supplied by Dragon Models USA: Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com The Cyber-Hobby JS-1 / JS-2 Orange Box kit is yet another in an ever expanding line of Cyber-Hobby's repackaging of older DML kits with 'value added' contents (Magic Track sets, DS track runs, or figure sets to name a few - but no photo etch) at a significantly lower price. This particular Orange Box kit is a reissue that combines parts from the older DML JS-1 and JS-2 into a neat little kit that gives you options to build either of the early JS models. Additionally, this kit comes with a very nice set of Magic Track links and a DML figure set featuring 'Soviet Motor Rifle Troops'. I won't delve into the accuracy problems with this kit (road wheel diameter, lower hull height, casting texture, etc.) as they are greatly detailed in other reviews of both this kit and the prior DML incarnations. What I will say however, is that this being my first foray into Russian Armor, I was very pleased with the kit. Upon opening the kit, you are greeted with over 500 parts spread out amongst 9 gray plastic sprues, and a set of Magic Track links that includes equal amounts of both guide horned links and split track links. The instructions provide paint schemes for three different units: JS-2: Unidentified Unit, Vitebsk, 1944 (winter whitewash, Turret No. 14). JS-2: 4th Guards Tank Army, Eastern Front 1944 (three-color pattern, Turrent No. 222). JS-1: 1st Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Rgt., 11th Guards Tank Corps, Ukraine, 1944 (winter whitewash, no other discernable regimental markings).

Also included is a relatively small sheet of Cartograf decals with markings for each of the JS-2 units. For this kit, I chose to go with the options for JS-2 version with the main difference being the 122mm main gun. I began the project as I would any other by separating the parts into 5 major sub assemblies: Turret and main gun. Upper hull. Lower hull and suspension. Road wheels and sprockets. Tracks.

All of the major sub assemblies (minus the tracks) were completed and given an overall coat of red oxide primer. This was followed up with a coat of Floquil Coach Green slightly darkened with Floquil Engine Black. This was dry brushed with non-darkened Coach Green to bring out some of the highlights. I also decided that since this was my first time with Russian armor, I'd also try something else for the first time - a winter whitewash. This was accomplished by setting up a mixture of Tamiya white thinned down with 91% isopropyl alcohol at a ration of 2 parts paint to 8 parts thinner. The mixture was then slathered onto the tank with an old brush that had been trimmed down in an effort to simulate an application of a whitewash with a mop or a broom (which would have been fairly common painting implements at such a late stage of the war). Several whitewash coats were applied after the previous coat had been allowed to set. This was followed up by a bit more dry brushing to bring back out some of the details.

With the whitewash completed, a light oil was applied to add a little depth and bring out the detail in the engine deck and exhaust. With this complete, everything was given a once over with a coat of Testors Dullcote lacquer.

With the bulk of the assembly completed, I moved on to the tracks - the instructions don't do the best job of indicating exactly how many links need to be used on each run. I found that 88 links were needed for each side - 44 split track links and 44 guide toothed links. Each entire run was assembled using Tamiya Extra Thin cement and allowed to sit for about 10 minutes. With the tracks stable enough to handle, they were wound around the road wheels and sprocket on each side and spacers used to create sag in the track. Each side was completed and allowed to dry and form over night. Once the tracks were formed, they were once again removed from the running gear and painted separately. This was accomplished with a coat of Floquil Red Oxide followed by Testors Gun Metal Non-Buffing Metallizer. Once dry, each track was given an oil wash, followed by a light dry brushing of metallic grey to bring out detail and a wear pattern. Complete and dry, the tracks were then carefully fitted back onto the tank. Overall, the fit of this kit is very nice - having never worked with DML's kits from the 1990's, I really didn't know what to expect in terms of the fit and cleanup. Oddly enough, the most cleanup time needed was actually on the Magic Track links and not the main kit parts. If you have a younger modeler in the house who has mastered Tamiya armor but is not yet quite ready to graduate to the 1100 piece Dragon premium kits, I would whole heartedly suggest this or any other of the Orange Box series kits. My thanks to Dragon Models USA for the review kit.