KV s Malenkiy Bashniy (April to mid-July 1940)

Since the arrival of Trumpeter kit #1561 'Russian KV-1 Model 1939' it has become somewhat easier to create one of the initial eleven KV s malenkiy bashniy with the early 'rounded' turret.  The Trumpeter kit provides a mixture of spring/summer 1940 and late fall/winter 1940/41 features however, some modifications are still necessary.  In order to create one of the initial eleven vehicles as delivered from the factory, you will need to cross-kit Trumpeter kit #1561 with Trumpeter kit #00311 Russian KV 'Big Turret' Tank.

Start with kit #00311.

In step 1 of the kit 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 s malenkiy bashniy had ceased.

On part A27, the instructions direct you to open up the innermost slot for the power conduit leading to the headlamp and siren.  This is incorrect.  Open up the outermost slot (that is, the one closest to the edge of the hull top) instead.

In addition to opening up the indicated holes on the fenders, open up the pair of holes on the number 5 position on the left-hand fender (part C1).  This will allow you to fit the cross-cut saw and its bracket which were present in this position on the KV s malenkiy bashniy.

Open up the pair of holes on the number 6 position on the right-hand fender (part C14).  This will allow you to fit the cylindrical stowage container for the gun barrel cleaning rods.

Follow step 2 of the instructions.

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 nose plate (part C5) features 11 filled bolt holes across each face.  The original plates carried 17 bolts on each face, and the number was reduced to 11 at the end of August 1940.  While it is possible that the final few KV s bolshoiy bashniy carried only 11 bolts, most would have carried 17.  Sand away the circular marks from part C5 and create 17 equally spaced filled holes by drilling holes and filling them with styrene rod.  Alternatively, you can simply leave the nose plate smooth since these early vehicles were finished to a high standard and the holes were often barely visible.

The kit provides the correct radiator intake screens but you may wish to replace these with after-market items.  Aber 35 G16, Eduard 35888 and Jordi Rubio TG84 provide the correct pattern.

Follow steps 6 and 7 of the instructions.

In step 8, DO NOT open up the hole in the engine access hatch (part C2).  The inspection port (part A18) was not fitted to the KV s malenkiy bashniy.

Follow steps 9 thru 11 of the instructions.

In step 12, the kit lacks the cross-cut saw and its bracket, which must be mounted on the number 5 position on the left-hand fender.  Trumpeter kits #00356 and #00357 both provide this part but it is not required for most sub-variants of the KV-1 Model 1940 so you may have this part in your spares box.

Switch to kit #1561.  Go immediately to step 12 of the instructions.

Remove the raised bolts around the outer edge of the turret roof plate (part Y9).  You should also remove the raised bolts around the turret hatch surround, leaving the inset bolt holes in place. 

Remove the base plate for the anti-aircraft machine gun mount, since the mount was not fitted until early 1941.

Remove the flange surrounding the ventilator cover using a sharp hobby knife and files.  The flange was not introduced until March 1941.  Simulate the weld bead attaching the cover to the roof plate, using styrene rod softened with liquid cement.

Fill the cicular seam around each of the periscope covers, taking care not to obscure the inset bolt holes.

Remove the flanges surrounding the episcope covers, and attach the covers to the turret. Simulate the weld beads using styrene rod softened with liquid cement.

The kit provides the correct early pattern L-11 gun mantlet (part Y17).  However, the mantlet features a solid front face where the original mantlet featured an open slot beneath the gun barrel, as shown in the upper drawing on page 244 of KV - Technical History and Variants.  Open up the kit part using a sharp hobby knife and files.

The bottom of the recuperator cover on the kit part is molded solid whereas the original recuperator cover was open at the bottom.  Cut away the bottom of part Y17 and simulate the front of the gun mount by inserting a piece of styrene rod approximately 7mm in diameter and 9mm long.  You may wish to omit this step however since the open bottom is very difficult to see unless the gun barrel is elevated.

In step 13, assemble the cylindrical stowage container for the gun barrel cleaning rods (parts Y2, Y3 and Y12) and attach it to the right-hand fender on the completed hull from kit #00311 in the number 6 position.

In step 14, add the tow cables and front towing shackles to the completed as shown in the instructions, and mount the turret onto the hull.

By following these steps, you will arrive at an accurate representation of one of the original eleven KV s malenkiy bashniy completed at LKZ between April and mid-July 1940.