#72016 KV-1E Heavy Tank

This kit represents a KV-1 Model 1940 with ehkrany spaced armor.  The kit shares many common components with kits #72012, #72013 and #72014 and therefore provides the regular curved rear hull overhang but the early pattern radiator intake screens.  The early screens were not common on ehkrany-equipped vehicles since the transition to the late pattern screens occurred in May 1941, in anticipation of the the ehkrany program that began in June.  While it is certainly possible that a few vehicles carried the combination of features depicted in the kit, a more common example would have been fitted with the regular curved overhang and late pattern screens.  Given that the kit includes cast steel two-part resilient road wheels that were only introduced in July, it is an easier proposition to depict a late production by replacing the radiator intake screens with aftermarket items from Extra Tech or Part.

As noted above, the cast steel two-part resilient road wheels provided in the kit are appropriate for a late production example from mid-July 1941. The kit also provides the pressed steel rubber-rimmed return rollers without reinforcing ribs, and both early and late pattern drive sprockets.  The early pattern sprockets are appropriate for this variant.

The kit includes the same early welded turret and gun components as kits #72012, #72013 and #72014, and in fact you can build a KV-1 Model 1939 or a “regular” Model 1940 using the parts contained in this kit.  However, the kit turret depicts the rear-facing episcopes in the locations adopted in late July/early August with the introduction of the 90mm-armored welded turret.  Since all ehkrany-equipped vehicles mounted 75mm-armored turrets, you should relocate the rear-facing episcopes approximately 1mm inboard of the rear edge of the turret roof plate.

The ehkrany spaced armor plates are included for both the hull and turret.  By combining these with the appliqué plates for the hull front and driver’s front plate, you can build the various different configurations of the ehkrany-equipped vehicles.

The decal sheet provides several marking options with turret numbers, stars and patriotic slogans.  By the time the ehkrany-equipped vehicles saw service, markings were becoming more common on KV-1s.