Figarti JS2 and Tank Riders (2 Viewers)

[jbonzo1]

Quite true. When I get home tonight I think I can find a nice schematic to illustrate just how great the size difference was.

Thanks for the great pictures. You could rent the King's turret as a small apartment in New York City! I wonder how the JS-2 stacks up alongside the Jagdtiger!!!

 

[Blowtorch]

I was just doing some reading last night & the Figarti model represents the "straight nose" version of the JS2 which was immune to frontal penetration from an 88L56. The initial models were called "broken nose" which had a front glacis design similar to the Tiger 1. After initial battles of the JS2 with Tigers in early 1944, the glacis was redesigned (straightened) to protect against the 88L56; however, the Germans gave priority of APCR raw materials to the 88L56, and Tiger 1 crews usually went into battle with an ample supply of APCR (a rarity for the German army), giving it performance similar to a 75L70...thus keeping the Tiger 1 in the game.

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Just got word it's in the mail and down under bound.Hope it arrives with no battle damage.Will post a picture when it arrives.Simmo.

 

[Blowtorch]

Thanks for the great pictures. You could rent the King's turret as a small apartment in New York City! I wonder how the JS-2 stacks up alongside the Jagdtiger!!!

here's a great diorama

 

[jbonzo1]

here's a great diorama

That's a GREAT photo. I would love to see the buildings and tracked gun produced. My JS-2 was due today, but 17 inches of snow has roadblocked it

 

[Vezzolf]

I just recieved this tank today...form Treefrog....."Excellent Model"....I decided not to purchase the tank riders however as I am a bit hesitant regarding them........Although I would "consider" Russian Ground Soldiers if Figarti produces them......Figarti soldier poses and painting are the biggest issues for me.....If they continue to improve their sculpts for their figures...I will purchase some of them to go with this tank.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

It is an exceptional piece of armor. The tank riders are also quite good. In my opinion it is one of the nicest pieces of armor produced in the hobby.

My JS-2 model finally arrived and I have to agree with Louis - IMO it is the best AFV produced in the hobby. I have gone over the tank in detail and have not been able to find any mistakes. I can't think of any AFV I have ever seen where I couldn't find anything in error or out of place historically.

I was going to do a review of the tank with photos starting with the box, the open box, the separate parts, etc. like fmethorst does, but unfortunately, in my frenzy the box was opened, the tank and tank riders assembled in seconds - so no packing photos.

The parts were well packed in black foam cutouts and not so tight I would worry about damaging them on removal. There was no shipping damage which I attribute to the packing and the sturdiness of the model.

Once I had the JS-2 and riders all together, I pulled out the K&C T-34/85 to compare size colour and figures. I also opened my Russian reference books for tank photos and colours.

Terry

 

[jazzeum]

This is what I hate about you Terry: you're always beating around the bush!

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Colour and Weathering.

From black and white photos and colour plates of Russian WW2 tanks in reference books, the colour of the JS-2 is accurately portrayed as a dark green typical of many Russian tanks and in particular the JS-2. The dark green, dark like a US Sherman tank, is at the dark end of the green range of Russian tank colours. Like the German grey which tended towards charcoal and was much darker than people think, the Russian tanks were darker too. The tank has an oily, dirty look, especially on the white recognition stripes, typical of Russian tanks which leaked dirt catching lubricants. They were built to tolerances suitable for a lifespan of weeks (vs German tanks which were built to last years)

The K&C T-34/85 is a much lighter green typical of the green colour at the lighter end of the green scale for Russian tanks. Side by side in a display, they go together very well in colour, weathering and scale. They will make an excellent display.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

JS-2 Detail.

I was very impressed with the detail on the tank and was unable to find any historical errors or mistakes. Individual items which impressed me were:

Fully detailed wide tracks and links. You can see the individual track links, gaps between them, and square holes were the sprocket teeth go. The edges of the tracks are bare metal where the wear is.

Fully detailed wheels, sprockets and suspension arms - even the correct number of bolts on the wheels. Very accurate portrayal of the slack on the upper tread - just like in the real photos.

Accurate and fully detailed 12.7 mm MG with ammo box including leather carrying strap and red star.

Accurate tanker's leather helmet.

Accurately shown red tail lights - they are small and often omitted from models.

Fine mesh detailing of air grills; Bare metal bolt heads on the engine covers

Tow cable - partly greased and partly bare metal with individual strands visible and Russian style elongated eye hooks

Correct number and placement of high and low handbars on the turret. And instead of the turret being mounted on the tank with a round post fitting into a hole in the tank body, the turret is mounted on a turret ring which is actually visible.

Centre fill external fuel tanks with 2 sraps and a handle at each end.

I would have to rate the JS-2 as 9.7 out of 10. The only complaint I could come up with, is that the heavy main gun won't stay elevated, but is very easy to prop up in an eye-pleasing elevation.

The only other thing I can say is When is the next Russian tank coming?

Terry

 

[tdubel]

JS-2 Detail.

I was very impressed with the detail on the tank and was unable to find any historical errors or mistakes. Individual items which impressed me were:

Fully detailed wide tracks and links. You can see the individual track links, gaps between them, and square holes were the sprocket teeth go. The edges of the tracks are bare metal where the wear is.

Fully detailed wheels, sprockets and suspension arms - even the correct number of bolts on the wheels. Very accurate portrayal of the slack on the upper tread - just like in the real photos.

Accurate and fully detailed 12.7 mm MG with ammo box including leather carrying strap and red star.

Accurate tanker's leather helmet.

Accurately shown red tail lights - they are small and often omitted from models.

Fine mesh detailing of air grills; Bare metal bolt heads on the engine covers

Tow cable - partly greased and partly bare metal with individual strands visible and Russian style elongated eye hooks

Correct number and placement of high and low handbars on the turret. And instead of the turret being mounted on the tank with a round post fitting into a hole in the tank body, the turret is mounted on a turret ring which is actually visible.

Centre fill external fuel tanks with 2 sraps and a handle at each end.

I would have to rate the JS-2 as 9.7 out of 10. The only complaint I could come up with, is that the heavy main gun won't stay elevated, but is very easy to prop up in an eye-pleasing elevation.

The only other thing I can say is When is the next Russian tank coming?

Terry

Terry,
I think you liked this one!!!!

Tom

 

[rpk]

Excellent review Terry. Received mine last week, and was very impressed with it as well. Definitely restored my faith in the Figarti product, as well as whetted my appetite for more Russian armor. Have the K&C T34 as well, but would love to see a T34 done the Figarti way!

-Rich

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Another detail I like is the stamping on the bottom of the hull giving the model #, date and production figures. Mine is 80/130 - how is there more than 100 produced- I thought the mould allowed only 100 to be made?? Have Figarti developed some new technology? - not that I expect an answer to that question.

Terry

 

[Vezzolf]

Terry, DON'T ASK....Just be glad that Figarti is producing a few more of this JS2...It will give most collectors a chance to own one.....Hopefully this will be the new number standard.....personnally I would like to see 150-180 produced especially on popular items.....Most of us are tried of panic reserving and buying.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

JS-2 Tanker and Tank Riders

The poses are very realistic. Each figure goes on a specific spot on the tank and is very stable there. I did a stability test, one figure at a time by placing the figure on the tank and then giving the tank a series of bumps, each one harder than the previous one. It takes a pretty hard knock to dislodge a figure. There was no need for Tacky Wax or Museum Putty, but I still would not try to lift the tank and move it while the tank riders are on it - I'm certain they would fall off.

The uniforms are accurate even to the rank badges. The faces even look Russian, but could still be made to look more realistic.

In terms of size, they appear to be the same scale as the K&C Russians, but a bit slimmer. The figures go well together and could be placed on either of the K&C or Figarti AFVs- useful in future dios.

The faces could use some improvement but the poses are excellent. I would rate the Figarti tank riders as 7.5/10.

Terry

 

[jbonzo1]

Excellent review Terry. Received mine last week, and was very impressed with it as well. Definitely restored my faith in the Figarti product, as well as whetted my appetite for more Russian armor. Have the K&C T34 as well, but would love to see a T34 done the Figarti way!

-Rich

Here, here Rich. I would love to see a Figarti T-34 and the SU-100! As for gun elevation, I use small bits of cotton tucked in the bottom of the mantlet. They hold the barrel up and are not visible. I first used this technique on the K&C King Tiger (Porsche turret).
Thanks for the great review, Terry.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Here, here Rich. I would love to see a Figarti T-34 and the SU-100! As for gun elevation, I use small bits of cotton tucked in the bottom of the mantlet. They hold the barrel up and are not visible. I first used this technique on the K&C King Tiger (Porsche turret).

I use a small piece of the back end of an orange Stim-U-Dent tooth pick. I just lift the gun exposing the gap between the bottom of the mantlet and the turret and push it in thin edge first. It holds the gun at a good angle, the tooth pick is invisible, and the strip of tooth pick is easy to remove - just lift the gun as high as it goes and the tooth pick falls out.


Terry

 

[General Custer]

When Figarti meet K&C :

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Excellent photo.

I was hoping someone would post them together and even do a photo of the K&C T-34/85 with the JS-2. I didn't want to go into my Fall of Berlin display and pull out the K&C tank and riders.

Terry

 

[General Custer]

Sorry but don't have this T34 ; and hope EFR-002 will be an ISU152 !