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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.
The JS-2 not only served with the Red Army during WWII but 71 were delivered to the
Polish Army. These were distributed between the 4th and 5th Heavy Tank Regiments.
The JS-2 model 1944 was designed as a breakthrough tank with a faster-loading D25-T
122mm gun, a simpler hull front and a wider mantlet. The Poles were successful during
battles in Pomerania, the retaking of Poland and the battle for Berlin. At the end of WWII
there were 26 JS-2s left and 21 of these were returned to the Soviets.
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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