This kit came out in 1996 but still holds up well to today's standards. The cast texture on the turret is excellent and the details are great. There are few items that could have been done better such as the horn and the fact the there is a gap underneath the sponsons. The tracks on this model leave much to be desired, I ended up using fruilmodel tracks on the one I built which give me a more convincing appearance. The kit does not come with any clear or photo etch parts but does come with string for the tow cable. The marking options are limited and very basic, there are three provided on the decal sheet. Overall this is still probably the best kit out there for a JS-3.

This is another Tamiya kit that has been around for a while now, but still measures up to other brands. The tread system is of the long rubber strip type, with no option of any molded sectional or individual link variety. If an update to the kit is ever done, the track system would be a good area, to better catch the eye of those more detail-oriented. A little broader selection of decals would be nice, as well. The model comes equipped with the drum-style external fuel tanks and hull rear smoke-discharge canisters, which had become standardized in production by the time of the JS-3. It also comes with a turret top AA hvy. MG and a crewman, but is light on any hull/turret accessories/stowage items. For those that like to create models of other more obscure prototypes/proposal design tanks, the hull can be used towards an Obj. 705/705B/252U JS-5-1/5B/6U heavy tanks, and the style of gun mantle was used for the JS-5-1 (on JS-2M turret) plus the Obj. 703A JS-6A/6U. Overall, the kit is of good quality and nicely detailed, and I would recommend it to others.