This sub-variant of the KV-1 Model 1940 requires a little more work
than some of the later sub-variants, but is nonetheless a relatively
easy conversion from Trumpeter's kit #00356.
Some points to note:
- The kit provides the regular curved rear hull overhang which was
introduced in early May 1941. Hulls manufactured prior to that
time featured the creased curved overhang with a flat spot on the upper
portion of the plate. You can modify the kit part by sanding it
to match the contours of the upper hull sides, or use the part included
in Trumpeter's kit #00311 Russian KV "Big Turret" Tank.
- 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.
- The kit includes optional applique armor plates for the hull front,
driver's front plate and upper hull sides. However, these plates
were not introduced until early June. DO NOT fit them to your
model.
- 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.
- Use the early pattern radiator intake screens (parts D10).
- The kit includes a flange around the driver's episcope cover.
This flange was not introduced until late March. Remove the
flange and simulate the weld bead attaching the cover to the hull roof
plate with putty or styrene rod softened with liquid cement.
- Fit the cross-cut saw and its bracket from the left-hand
fender. The saw was not relocated inside the lid of the stowage
box on the right-hand fender until mid-March.
- 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.
- Turrets manufactured at this time also featured mitered corners
between the front, sides and rear plates, with a weld seam at the apex
of each corner. You should sand away the torch cut marks and weld
seams from the front and rear of the turret side plates, and round off
each corner slightly to represent the weld bead at the apex.
- The kit includes flanges around the turret episcope covers and
ventilator cover. These flanges were not introduced until
mid-March. Carefully remove the flanges from the episcope covers
and from the ventilator cover molded onto the turret roof plate, and
simulate the weld bead attaching the covers to the roof plate with
putty or styrene rod softened with liquid cement.
By following these steps along with the kit instructions, you will
create an accurate representation of a KV-1 Model 1940 manufactured
between February and mid-March 1941.