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The JS tanks were named after Joseph Stalin. The JS-2 had a 122mm D-25T main gun
and 6 road wheels to improve soft ground track performance. In 1944 new specifications
included new armour tempering, a 60-degree glacis replaced the 30-degree and the
driver’s front hatch was removed. Also a relocated wider porthole, improved mantlet,
increased lower hull side armor and a new periscope sight. The commander’s cupola
moved to the left and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun attached. In 1944 2,250 JS-2’s
were produced and no further improvements were made until 1954.
From 1937 to 1945 there were two military forces within China, the Communist and the
National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China. These two forces were merged to
form the People’s Liberation Army. With aid from the Soviets the Chinese Army became a
formidable modern force. The Chinese military entered the Korean War when General
Douglas MacArthur’s forces approached the Yalu River and this was seen as a threat to
Chinese sovereignty. The Soviets had supplied JS-2s to China during this period.
JS-2 Specifications
Crew: 4
Combat weight: 46 tons
Power-to-weight ratio: 11.3 hp/t
Dimensions
Hull length: 6.68 m
Overall length: 9.91 m
Width: 3.07 m
Power Plant
Engine: V-21 4-stroke V-type diesel 520 HP
Transmission: Multiple dry main clutch, mechanical gearbox with reduction gear, 2-stage
planetary turning mechanism and side drives, 8 gears forward, 2 reverse
Fuel capacity: 137 gallons internal + 80 gallons external + 110 gallons supplementary
Performance
Maximum speed: road 23mph, off road 18mph
Maximum range: 150 miles
Fuel consumption: 0.8 gallons/mile
Fording depth: 1.3 m
Armament
D-25T Model 1943 122mm rifled tank gun
Main gun ammunition: BR-47B (armor piercing/tracer); BP-460A (HEAT shaped charge);
OF-462 and OF-471 (HE fragmentation)
Muzzle velocity: 2560 ft/s
Maximum effective range: 9 miles indirect fire; 900m direct-fire
Stowed main gun rounds: 28
Gun depression/elevation: -3 to +20 degrees
Secondary armament: DshK model 1938 12.7 mm machine gun, co-axial DT 7.62 mm
machine gun, DT 7.62 mm close defense machine gun
Armor - 90-120 mm hull front, 90-95 mm hull sides, 60 mm hull rear, 160 mm turret front,
100 mm turret rear sides, 90 mm turret rear.
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