KV-1 Model 1940 (May to Early June 1941)

This variant is quite easy to model, since Trumpeter's kit #00356 represents this version when built out of the box.  Only minor corrections are necessary to produce an accurate model of this variant.

Some points to note:

• 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 early June carried applique armor on the hull front and driver's front plate.  The kit includes these armor plates as optional parts.  Check your references for the vehicle you intend to model.
• Some Model 1940s were also fitted with cannibalized armor plates on the upper hull sides.  If you wish to model a vehicle with these plates, use parts N1, N2 and N3.
  
• 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 Model 1940 manufactured in May or early June 1941, prior to the introduction of the ehkrany program.