The Iosef Stalin tank, named after Joseph Stalin, was a heavy tank developed by the Soviet Union during World War II. It is sometimes transliterated Iosif Stalin, from the Russian, Иосиф Сталин. The tanks in the series are also sometimes called JS-1, JS-2, and JS-3.

Production started in 1943 and was later increased due to the performance of the German Panther and Tiger tanks at Kursk.

The IS-1 was the first production version and was equipped with a 85 mm gun.

Second model was the IS-2 with a new powerful 122 mm gun; this model was later modified into the IS-2m (not to be confused with the IS-2M), which had an improved hull cast without a shot trap.

In late 1944 the design was upgraded to the IS-3. This tank had improved armor layout, and a semicircular cast turret which was to be the hallmark of post-war Soviet tanks. Its pointed prow earned it the nickname Shchuka (Pike) from its crews. The IS-3 saw very little action at the end of World War II.

The IS-3 was used in the 1956 Soviet invasion of Hungary and the Prague Spring in 1968. It was supplied to Egypt, seeing action in the Six Day War, but by this time the concept of the heavy tank was showing its deficiencies. It was transferred to Red Army reserve service (with both the IS-2 and IS-3 slightly modified into the IS-2M and IS-3M) and war stores; the IS-2m remained in active service much longer in the armies of Cuba, China and North Korea.

In 1952, a further development was put into production, named IS-10. Due of the political climate in the wake of Stalin's death in 1953, it was renamed T-10.

General Characteristics

IS-2

• Length: 9.85 m
• Width: 3.2 m
• Height: 2.44 m
• Weight: 45.8 tonnes
• Engine: V-2-IS or V-2-K water cooled V12-cylinder diesel
  • 600 hp (450 kW) at 2300 rpm (V-2-IS)
  • 520 hp (390 kW) at 2200 rpm (V-2-K)
• Speed on road: 37 km/h
• Range: 190 km (on road)
• Armament: 122 mm D-25T gun with 28 shells
• Secondary armament:
  • 12.7 mm DCHK machine gun with 945 cartridges
  • 7.62 mm DCHM machine gun with 1000 cartridges
• Armor thickness
  • Front: 120 mm
  • Side: 90 mm
  • Stern: 60 mm
  • Top and bottom: 20 mm
• Turret: 230-75 mm
• Crew: 4

See also

• The IS-1's predecessor was the KV series.
• Its successors were the T-10 and T-10M heavy tanks
• Assault guns on the IS chassis: ISU-152, ISU-122.

External links

• AFV Interiors
• Battlefield.ru: Development history, Combat employment, Comparison to German tanks, Detailed interior view
• OnWar: IS-1, IS-2, IS-3