#32538 Russian Heavy Tank KV-2 Gigant

As another follow-on from kit #32535, Tamiya has released this kit which represents a KV-2 Model 1940 from the May/June 1941 production batch, with the regular curved rear overhang and late pattern radiator intake screens.  The kit shares many components with kit #32535 including the hull, pressed steel two-part resilient road wheels, pressed steel rubber-rimmed return rollers without reinforcing ribs and early pattern drive sprockets.  All of these components are appropriate for a May/June KV-2 Model 1940.

The kit includes the standard Tamiya fender stowage consisting of three revised large rectangular stowage boxes on the number 7, 8 and 10 positions.  Four boxes are included in the kit but the instructions correctly advise you to use only three.  The kit provides the cross-cut saw and its bracket for the number 5 position, but this item was typically carried inside the stowage box on the number 10 position on vehicles manufactured after late January 1941, so the kit part should be omitted.

The kit provides the correct bolt configuration on the engine deck, along with late pattern radiator intake screens.  If you wish, you can replace the radiator intake screens with aftermarket items from Aber or Hauler.  The engine access hatch is the correct domed pattern seen on KV-2s and lacks the inspection port in the center of the dome, which is also correct for a KV-2.

The MT-2 turret is comprised of separate parts for the two sides, front, rear, bottom and roof, allowing good detail definition on all surfaces.  Fittings such as the episcope covers and the large rear hatch are all separate components, though the machine gun mount on the turret rear is molded integrally with the rear plate. Similarly the mantlet assembly is assembled from separate parts allowing the grooves in the sides of the recuperator cover to be accurately represented.  The gun barrel for the main armament is in two halves split longitudinally, and you will therefore need to clean up the resulting join line when the two parts are joined.

The kit includes markings for three different vehicles including two with large patriotic slogans for the turret sides.  However, check your references here as most photographs suggest that KV-2s carried few if any markings.