So I guess I'm the first to post a topic here: might as well make it my first post on tAJ. The Final Days campaign is a good excuse for me to try my hand at a kit that I've been wanting to build for a long time: tamiya's IS-2.
The kit is typical tamiya fare: look good proportionally and things like the fit and ease of build are divine, but the detail leaves somewhat to be desired in places. Hence the objective (since I have a year) is to try and improve my skills by building as much as possible from plasticcard and limiting aftermarket additions. The one thing I do want to add is a set of Masterclub resin tracks for the IS series that I should have lying around somewhere. I'm also considering a set of AM tow cables and some figures. For now I can focus on the green plastic so lets start with the basics.
The main runnning gear built up, save for a few small things. I opted to try and add some texture to the plating as well as to suspension arms.
After that I got a little impatient and did some large assemblies. I added a thin plastic strip to simulate the casting seam and added some homemade texturing to the turret. Once I have templates to replace the fenders, I'll carve those off and add some similar texture to the hull areas. For now, I need to figure out which one I want to build specifically.
I like the obnoxiously large numbers on the turret of the first shot, but the second vehicle looks 'lived' with its battered skirts full of gear and unditching logs. Fortunately I still have some time to decide.