#84812 Russia KV-1 Model 1942 Simplified Turret Tank

This kit represents a KV-1 Model 1942 built by ChKZ in the spring of 1942, with a Model 1942 hull, simplified welded turret and ZIS-5 gun.  The kit is a 1/48 scale re-engineered version of Trumpeter kit #00358, so many of the comments made for that kit apply equally to this kit.

The kit provides a Model 1942 hull with angular rear overhang, all-steel reinforced road wheels, all-steel return rollers and late pattern drive sprockets with eight hub retaining bolts.  The suspension swing arms are of the later pattern with three retaining bolts for the torsion bar hubs.  All of these features are appropriate for a Model 1942 from the spring of 1942.

The fenders are molded separately and the integrally molded horizontal flanges for the fender brackets include the correct four attachment bolts.  Fender stowage consists of a single narrow rectangular stowage box for the number 7 position and spare track links with mounting brackets for the number 9 and 10 positions.  Note that the spare track links feature four brackets on each set rather than the correct three.  Remove the forward bracket from the outer link on each side for accuracy.

The kit provides appliqué armor for the hull front and driver’s front plate.  The armor for the driver’s front plate is the shorter variant as used by UZTM.  If you wish to depict a vehicle with a hull built by Factory No.200, you must fabricate your own plate from styrene sheet.  The kit also includes the long appliqué strips for the upper hull sides, as well as the chevron-shaped armor on the forward hull top and the short bars at the rear quarters of the turret.  These features are evident in most photographs of Model 1942 vehicles.

The engine compartment and transmission compartment roof plates feature the revised bolt configuration for the Model 1942 hull with seven bolts across the front and rear edges.  The crew hatch is of the late pattern with a raised lip around its edge, but the transmission access hatches are of the early pattern with a curved edge.  Most Model 1942 hulls carried the late pattern hatches with a beveled edge.  The kit includes a late pattern domed engine access hatch with inspection port, and late pattern radiator intake screens.  These features are appropriate for the variant depicted by the kit.

The kit includes a late production simplified welded turret with interlocked joints.  Optional parts are provided for the conical or box-shaped gunner’s periscope housings.  Like its Trumpeter “big brother”, the rear-facing episcope housings are inset and should be relocated to the rear edge of the turret roof plate.  The kit is also missing the interlocked joint on the lower edge of the turret rear plate.  This can be added fairly easily however, using a sharp blade and files.