KV-1 Model 1940 with Ehkrany Spaced Armor (Late June 1941)

This variant is quite easy to model, since Trumpeter's kit #00357 provides most of the required parts.  Producing an accurate model of this variant is simply a case of using or omitting certain parts from the kit, and sourcing the earlier road wheels.

Some points to note:

• The kit includes cast steel two-part resilient road wheels which were only introduced in early to mid-July.  Most vehicles completed with ehkrany in late June carried pressed steel two-part resilient road wheels with lightening holes and with six cooling vents on the inner discs.  These wheels are included in Trumpeter's kit #00356 Russia KV-1 (Model 1941) "KV Small Turret" Tank, and are also available from Hussar Productions (35003) and Trakz (TX017).
  

• Omit the two rearmost lifting eyes from the transmission compartment roof plate, and fill their locating holes.  The kit provides four lifting eyes, but there should be only two.
  
• Some vehicles manufactured in late June did not carry applique armor on the hull front and driver's front plate.  Trumpeter kit #00356 includes these armor plates as optional parts, so you can use them if you have that kit.  Alternatively you can make your own from 0.8mm styrene sheet since the shapes are fairly simple.  Check your references for the vehicle you intend to model.  Note however, that vehicles fitted with hull ehkrany typically also carried the applique armor on hull front and driver's front plate.
• Some but not all vehicles completed in late June carried ehkrany on both hull and turret.  The kit includes the hull ehkrany as optional parts and you have the choice of whether to use them on your model.  Check your references for your subject vehicle.
  
• DO NOT fit the inspection port in the center of the domed engine access hatch.  This port was not introduced until the end of 1941, long after the ehkrany program had ceased.
• Omit the cross-cut saw and its bracket from the left-hand fender.  By this time, the saw was located inside the lid of the rearmost stowage box on the right-hand fender.
• Fit the cylindrical stowage tube on the right-hand fender.  The tube was not eliminated from new production vehicles until the end of June 1941.
• The Izhorskiy Plant was the most common manufacturer of turrets at this time, and used blind holes, drilled and tapped from the inside, to attach the turret roof plate to the front, sides and rear.  You should therefore eliminate the circular marks around the edges of the turret roof plate, but leave those on the front and rear plates.
  

By following these steps along with the kit instructions, you will create an accurate representation of a KV-1 manufactured in early to mid-July 1941.