#84816 Russia KV-2 Tank

Built from the box, this kit represents one of the final 100 KV-2 Model 1940s completed in May/June 1941 with the regular curved rear hull overhang and late pattern radiator intake screens.  The kit is a 1/48 scale rendition of Trumpeter kit #00312 and many of the comments made for that kit apply equally to this kit.

The kit includes a hull with both creased curved and regular curved rear overhangs provided as separate parts , pressed steel two-part resilient road wheels, pressed steel rubber rimmed return rollers without reinforcing ribs and early drive sprockets with sixteen hub retaining bolts.  The suspension arms are separate parts and feature the correct six retaining bolts for the torsion bar hubs.

Fender stowage consists of three revised large stowage boxes for the number 7, 8 and 9 positions.  However, KV-2 Model 1940s (and indeed, KV-1 Model 1940s manufactured after late January 1941) fitted with these stowage boxes typically carried them on the number 7, 8 and 10 positions, so you should reposition the boxes accordingly.

The crew hatch and transmission maintenance hatches are of the correct early pattern with curved edges.  The kit provides the early pattern domed engine access hatch but the hatch features an inspection port in its center which must be removed for accuracy.  Only late pattern radiator intake screens are provided which are appropriate for the final production batch of KV-2s.  If you wish to model an early production example from November/December 1940, you can use the creased curved rear hull overhang provided in the kit but you must replace the kit’s radiator intake screens with after-market items.  Hauler sets 48134 and 48186 provide the correct early pattern screens.

The kit includes a well molded MT-2 turret which represents the later production batch with flanges around the turret episcopes and ventilators, and grooved sides on the recuperator cover.  If you wish to model a vehicle from the earlier production batch, you must remove the flanges and sand down the sides of the recuperator cover to eliminate the grooves.  Do not simply fill the grooves since you will then obscure the attachment bolts for the mantlet.

Like the Trumpeter kit from which it is derived, the barrel is too short by approximately 2mm.  While this is difficult to detect without actually measuring the barrel, purists will wish to replace the barrel with an after-market item such as Hauler’s 48144.