KV-2 Model 1940 (May/June 1941)

The final 100 KV-2 Model 1940s were completed at LKZ in May/June 1941 and differed in minor details from the earlier production batch completed in November/December 1940.  Modeling one of these late production vehicles is relatively simple since Trumpeter kit #00312 Russia KV-2 Tank represents this sub-variant when built out of the box.  Only minor corrections are required to create an accurate model.

In step 1 of the instructions, DO NOT open up the hole in the center of the engine access hatch (part C2).  This hole allows you to the inspection port for the engine cooling system's pressure relief valve, which was not fitted until the cooling system was revised at the end of 1941, long after production of the KV-2 had ceased.

The instructions direct you to open up one pair of holes on the right-hand fender (part C14) and two pairs of holes on the left-hand fender (part C1).  This is incorrect.  Instead, open up the two rearmost pairs of holes on part C14 (those on the number 8 and 10 positions) and the middle pair of holes on part C1 (the pair on the number 7 position).

Follow step 2 of the instructions, but be aware that a few final production KV-2 Model 1940s completed at the end of June 1941 lacked the exhaust air deflector plate and the tail lamp.  If you wish to model one of these vehicles, cut away the mountings for the deflector plate and the tail lamp housing, and fill the resulting holes.

In step 3, omit the two rearmost lifting eyes on the transmission compartment roof plate and fill their locating holes.  The kit provides four lifting eyes but there should be only two.

Follow step 4 of the instructions.

In step 5, the kit provides the correct radiator intake screens but you may wish to replace these with after-market items.  Aber 35 191, Eduard TP088 and TP089 provide the correct pattern.

Follow steps 6 and 7 of the kit instructions.

In step 8, the driver's episcope cover (part H2) lacks the surrounding flange.  You may wish to add the flange from styrene sheet or use a replacement part from Trumpeter kits #00356 or #00357.

Follow steps 9, 10 and 11 of the instructions.

In step 12, note that the kit's gun barrel is 3mm too short.  It also has overly prominent grooves around its circumference representing the joints between the sections of the barrel sleeve.  On the real vehicle, the joints were barely visible.  The easiest way to overcome these problems is to replace  the barrel with the barrel from Aber 35 191 or Jordi Rubio TG80.

In step 13, the instructions for mounting the stowage boxes are incorrect for this sub-variant.  Use the later pattern stowage boxes (parts D20) instead of the indicated parts H1.  Mount a single box on the left-hand fender in the number 7 position, and two boxes on the right-hand fender in the number 8 and 10 positions.

Note that a small number of vehicles completed in June 1941 carried the small box-shaped 50-litre fuel/lubricant tanks on the fenders.  You can model one of these vehicles by adding the tanks from Aber set 35 196.

A few final production vehicles also carried additional armor on the upper hull sides to protect the turret face and on the forward edge of the hull top to protect the crew hatch, as shown in Photo 259 on page 382 of KV - Technical History and Variants.  You can model these additional armor plates using the drawings on pages 98-100 of KV - Technical History and Variants as a guide.

Follow steps 14 and 15 to complete your model.

By following these steps, you will create an accurate replica of one of the final 100 KV-2 Model 1940s completed in May/June 1941.