KV-8 (April to August 1942)

Modeling one of the 102 KV-8 flamethrower tanks requires you to cross-kit Trumpeter kit #00358 Russia KV-1 Model 1942 Simplified Turret Tank with Trumpeter kit #00356 Russia KV-1 (Model 1941) "KV Small Turret" Tank.  Kit #00358 provides the hull, running gear and armament, while kit #00356 provides the basis for the 90mm-armored turret fitted to these vehicles, along with the correct fender stowage boxes.

Begin with kit #00358.

Prior to step 1 of the instructions, decide which engine access hatch you will use.  The kit provides both flat and domed hatches and photographs of KV-8s show that different vehicles carried different hatches.  If you decide to model a vehicle with the flat hatch, DO NOT open up the two holes on the inside of the hatch cover (part P3).  I have been unable to find any evidence that the flattened dome provided as an optional part in the kit was fitted to any KV-1 Model 1942 hull in service.  If you decide to model a vehicle with the domed hatch, open up the hole in the underside of part F23.

The kit instructions direct you to open up the outermost slot of the steel conduit that carried the power cable for the headlamp and siren; that is, the slot closest to the hull side.  This is incorrect for a Model 1942 hull.  Instead, open up the innermost slot.

Follow step 1 of the kit instructions.

In step 2, note that the kit provides the short applique armor plate for the driver's front plate (part D18) as fitted to hulls manufactured by UZTM.  Given the production period (April to September 1942) it is probable that KV-8s were based on hulls from both UZTM and Factory No.200.  Hulls from Factory No.200 with the taller applique armor plate.  If you decide to model a vehicle with a hull from Factory No.200 such as the vehicle shown in Photos 268 and 269 on pages 388 and 389 of KV - Technical History and Variants, you must fabricate your own applique armor plate from 0.8mm styrene sheet, using the kit part as a guide but extending the upper edge of the plate by approximately 3mm.

In steps 3 and 4, take care to use the correct torsion bar caps (parts G7) with three retaining bolts, NOT the alternative parts (parts G2) with six retaining bolts.

In step 4, note that the surround for the crew hatch in the forward hull top (part F15) must be blended into the hull top (part A27).  There should be no seam around the outside of part F15.

Add the splash guard around the driver's visor, using Photo 269 on page 389 of KV - Technical History and Variants as a guide.

Follow steps 5 of the kit instructions.

In step 6, the kit provides the reinforced Omsh pattern tracks introduced in July 1941.  Photographs indicate that many KV-8s carried the early pattern split link track with a guide 'bump' on the split links.  To represent these tracks, replace the kit tracks with Friulmodel ATL-51.

In step 7, if you choose to model a vehicle with the flat engine access hatch, DO NOT fit the optional flattened dome (part P16) to the hatch cover.

Follow steps 8, 9 and 10 of the instructions.

Skip step 11, since you will use the turret from kit #00356 and modify it to represent the 90mm-armored turret.

In step 12, omit the spare track links (parts F13 and F14).

Omit the small stowage box (part F8) and fill its locating holes.  Take two stowage boxes from kit #00358 (parts D20) and attach them to the number 9 and 10 fender positions.  Due to the presence of the fuel tanks for the flame projector inside the hull and turret, there was less internal space available in the KV-8 so the larger external stowage boxes were fitted to compensate.

In step 13, construct the tow cables as indicated in the instructions.

In step 14, fabricate the two retaining shackles on the glacis plate from brass or styrene using the drawing on page 391 of KV - Technical History and Variants as a guide.  These shackles were used to hold the tow cables out of the firing line of the flame projector.

Switch to kit #00356 and go immediately to step 12 of the instructions.

Carefully carve away the flanges around the epsicope covers.  By the spring of 1942, the covers were welded directly to the turret roof plate.

Modify the turret roof by carefully removing the two rear-facing episcopes and filling their locating holes.  Divert momentarily from the prescribed assembly sequence, and attach the rear-facing episcope covers (parts M4) further aft, so that their rearmost corners touch the edge of the turret roof plate (NOT the top edge of the turret sides).  See the drawing on page 391 of KV - Technical History and Variants for guidance.  Simulate the weld beads using putty or styrene rod softened with liquid cement.  Locate the episcopes themselves inside the covers. Note that the spacing and angle of the covers and episcopes is unchanged.

Carefully carve away the flange around the ventilator cover.  As noted above, the covers was welded directly to the turret roof plate.  Simulate the weld beads using putty or styrene rod softened with liquid cement.

Add the chamfer beneath each side-facing episcope cover by carefully filing the top edges of the turret side plates, then add the 'splash bar' beneath the chamfer, using the drawing on page 391 of KV - Technical History and Variants as a guide.

DO NOT fit the trunnion cheeks (parts M9 and M10).  Instead, fit the alternate parts from kit #00358 (parts P9 and P10).

Fit the rear-facing machine gun as indicated in the instructions.

Fit the conical periscopic sight cover on the left-hand side of the turret as indicated in the instructions, but fit the box-shaped cover provided in kit #00358 (parts F17 and F20) on the right-hand side.

Fit the gun mount and barrel from kit #00358 (parts P1 and P8).  The kit provides a reasonable representation of the sleeved 45mm gun barrel but for an even better representation, you can replace the kit barrel with Aber 35 L52.

Fit the rain guard from kit #00358 (part P4).

Fill the socket in the center of the turret hatch (part D19).  KV-8 turret hatches did not include the socket.

Attach the turret to the hull to complete your model.

By following these steps, you will create an accurate replica of one of the 102 KV-8s manufactured at ChKZ between April and August 1942.