SU-152 (KV-14) SPG Sep.1943 Production

This is the recent 1/35 Bronco kit of the formidable Russian self-propelled assault gun.

Its name derived from the fact that It mounted a 152 mm gun-howitzer on the chassis of a KV-1S heavy tank. Because of its adopted role as an impromptu heavy tank destroyer, capable of knocking out the heaviest German armoured vehicles—Tiger and Panther tanks, and Elefant tank destroyers—it was nicknamed Zveroboy, which roughly translates as 'Beast Killer'.

With armour kits, my tendency is to create a vignette sympathetic to the subject. In this case, I worked against type, in that I modelled it as damaged and abandoned rather than in an overtly aggressive posture. The tread is partly blown away, with a shellhole beneath the rear of the unit. I've left the escape hatch open, and the engine covers have had heat applied to distort them a little to replicate a compression blast. The Russian battle flag is from Reality in Scale.

To note, after I photographed it, I noticed that I'd left the periscope in clear plastic; I've since painted the surround to leave just the 'glass' face in view.

6 additional images. Click to enlarge.