Part 1: First Look

MSRP: $16.00 Approximately 120 olive drab parts, waterslide decals build one of five vehicles. The Soviets appreciated that they could produce more self-propelled turretless 'tanks' in less time and using less resources than if they built only turreted tanks. They applied the concept successfully on the T-34 chassis (the SU series) but in the summer of 1943 they began to convert IS-2 Iosef Stalin tanks as both the ISU-122 and ISU-152. The difference between the two was virtually just the gun used, with the larger ISU-152 barrel having a distinctive muzzle brake with vertical perforations. The appearance of the Panther and Tiger I and II tanks required a powerfully armed and armored tank killer to counter them and the ISUs performed admirably. They were able to knock out the best German tanks at the longest ranges, and German tank crews were shocked to see their 88 rounds ricochet off the ISUs! The ISU-122 was first issued to field units in February 1944 and took part in the Bagration Offensive in the Summer of 1944 and continued to help drive the Germans all the way back to defeat in Berlin. More than 4,000 ISUs were built before wars end, as many as there were the lighter armed and armored Stug IVs. This is an all new mold of a state of the art kit, not to be confused with Italeri re-releases of ESCI kits, or recent 2 kits in one 'wargame' releases. It features separately molded crew hatches, pioneer tools, external fuel drums and its 12.7mm anti-aircraft DShK machine gun is one of the best on the market. Details are crisply molded and the road wheels are detailed on both sides. The track is too, including guide teeth, and is molded as link and length with a minimum of individual links (the way I like it!) with barely noticeable ejection marks that should easily clean up. The engine deck screens should look great after a wash and dry brush treatment. The front hull captures the casted texture effect. Very fine hand rails are provided but there are no attachment holes in the upper hull; very fine tow hooks are provided. The cannon barrel is molded as one part which will need some careful seam cleaning with your flex-file. The muzzle brake has a separate half which helps give the barrel a hollow appearance. No tow cable is provided. Though markings are provided for five vehicles, the markings are minimal and all their units are 'unknown.' There's a White 15 with the white Berlin ID band, April 1945; a second one in Berlin unmarked except for 5 kill marks on the barrel; two in Poland: one with a Red Star, Winter-wash 1944 the other is White 104, summer 1944 with green and sand camo scheme. The last, White 23, has the slogan 'In Honor of Mikoyan', summer 1944 in Gdansk, Poland according to "Soviet Heavy Tanks" Vanguard #24 by Steven Zaloga and James Grandsen. Italeris 'wargaming' version of the ISU-122 kit #7503 contains two complete models, each comprised of only nine parts! The running gear: wheels and tread, are all molded as one piece per side as per the Rocco and Armourfast models. The upper hull is similar to the full detail model but hatches are molded closed, there are no grab handles or other small parts such as towing hooks, lights, tools, etc. These are fine for wargamers who want more quantity than quality, and more durability than detailing. I think at one time Italeri had two ISU-152s in one box, one for the serious modeler, the other for wargamers. In comparison to the PST 1/72 ISU-122 kit to Italeris fully detailed kit, PST gives you more parts for your money, 190 of them. Ordinarily that's NOT a plus for me. The upper hull and mantlet has a very fine cast texture and the hull/fender edges are thin. It has link and length treads in black plastic with more individual links than Italeri, including spare ones. Very fine tow hooks are provided. Though the road wheels are detailed on one side only, most have open lightening holes (some filled in with flash but can be opened). Hatches have no detail, the fuel tanks, tools, DShK machine gun and other small parts are heavy handed, thick or have no detail. Most attachment points from the sprue tree to the parts are thick and require care separating them. The tow cable ends are provided for you to add thread to. Both kits have large gaps between the upper and lower hull parts which you'll see thru the open hatches or if you picked the model up. They can be easily blanked off. PST gives you markings for four vehicles and identifies each unit (they include 'In Honor of Mikoyan' saying it belonged to the 375 Guards Heavy Self-Propelled Guns Regiment).

Italeri on the left, PST on the right.

It seems to me that in trying to produce two different quality models from one basic model, Italeri wound up giving wargamers an especially great value of two, better than your average 'wargame' models. But just barely cut the serious modeler out of his money's worth. At $16 it's one of the higher priced 1/72 armor kits. If DML is held up as the current standard with very fine detailing, a small photo etch fret and priced closer to $10, you would expect more from Italeri. This ISU-122 Italeri state of the art kit is recommended for those who want a quick build and respite from AMS. But to be perfectly happy either the pricing should be less than DMLs or the detail raised at least to their level and include a turned brass barrel, perfectly fitting hull, wheels with lightening holes, enough additional track links to simulate the sag between return rollers, stowage - 'and more.' For the 'best' 1/72 ISU-122 you would need to combine the best of Italeri and PST's kits into one superb model. Thanks to Italeri and Bob Lewen of MRC for the review sample. You can get yours at better hobbyshops or go to www.modelrec.com or www.italeri.com. Italeris 1/72 M-8 Greyhound and DUKW are among some of the best 1/72 models and offer excellent value for your money. I hope they'll reconsider their pricing on their newest kits or go full out to raise the bar once again setting a new, higher standard for the state of the art. References · Soviet Heavy Tanks Vanguard #24 by Steven Zaloga and James Grandsen. · Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles edited by Chris Foss. · Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles by Ian Hogg and John Weeks.

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.