Joseph Stalin

Heavy Tanks

The Joseph Stalin (JS or IS, in Russian) series of tanks was a further development by the team that had developed the KV series of tanks.  The suspension was taken from an earlier prototype heavy tank (the T-100) and was not too dissimilar from the KV.  The Christie-inspired torsion bar suspension was mounted higher in the hull, reducing the tank's ability to negotiate obstacles but also decreasing it's overall height and allowing the installation of a larger turret. 

The JS-1 tank was an updated chassis with the enlarged turret from the T-34/85.  The appearance of the turrets are quite similar.  The JS-1 was not produced long, since a gun larger than 85mm was needed to compliment the updated chassis and heavy armor.  The JS-1's primary armor was a full 120mm thick. 

The JS-2 was more successful.  Mounting a 122mm gun capable of penetrating 160mm of armor at 1000m, it was more than capable of taking on heavy German tanks such as the Panther and Tiger, and was on fairly even terms with the King Tiger, although it was outweighed by 20 tons. 

JS-2 from A World of Soviet Tanks

  JS-2 in Czechoslovakia, 1945.  From Red Steel.

Sources:

A World of Tanks

Red Steele

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by Chris Shimp March 1, 2001