"I have been seriously considering getting the JS-2 as my first Tamiya tank. Is this a common problem with this model?
I'll be watching this thread closely."

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1. Answer: Probably not a common hull problem with the Tamiya JS-2, likely depends on how you run it or beat it.

So, I just checked my JS-2 hull today in response to this post.

So far so good, no JS-2 hull bending issues running Tamiya JS-2 plastic tracks and or the Tamiya KV-1 plastic tracks (shown in photos).

Seven months of non-abusive, grass, IR play, on this out of the box built, Tamiya JS-2 (my 3rd JS build) shows no hull damage (yet), which is not to say it didn't, can't or won't happen.

2. Hull side bracing idler plates would be welcomed plus a metal gearbox mount brace for added long term hull strength durability improvements for running heavy metal tracks and or abusive IR play.