The vehicle

“The ISU-122 (Istrebitelnaja* Samokhodnaya Ustanovka 122) was a Soviet assault gun used during World War II, mostly in the anti-tank role.” [1]

“Much like its older brother, the ISU-152, the ISU-122 saw action as a multi-role vehicle, but it was used as a tank destroyer more than the ISU-152 because its 122 mm gun was much more accurate than the 152 mm ML-20S howitzer.” [2]

* Iosif Stalin-based

The kit

Based on the Tamiya 1/35 kit [4].

This model build has a complicated history. Originally I was going to do the Zvezda ISU-122 model. However, in the end I decided it was just too basic for my wants. Next, it was to be the Dragon ISU-122 model. Now, I got quite far in this build and, one day, I might still complete it. But, still, it proved tricky in a few areas and slowly (too slowly) it dawned on me that by far the best ISU model currently available is by Tamiya. I’d already built this one – and may do again one day – so I knew this could be relied upon. So, swapping the 152mm gun for the Aber 122 mm A-19 metal barrel (#35L208) and utilising bits of the Eduard ISU-122/152 photoetch set (#35713) I was hopeful that I could achieve this conversion.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISU-122
2. http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/soviet/ISU-122.php
3. https://www.net-maquettes.com/pictures/isu-122-walkaround/
4. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/114337-tamiya-35303-jsu-152