¹⁄35

Soviet KV-1S Heavy Tank

Conclusion

With the number of KV tanks that Trumpeter has in their range I am very disappointed that they didn’t get this one more right. The errors where the parts are in the box can be put down to oversight which are easily overcome by looking at reviews such as this, but in the case of items such as the storage box and the engine hatch where you are reliant on having other Trumpeter KV tank models or scratch building items it is very aggravating.

There are high points to this model such as the terrific casting detail on the turret but that is unfortunately spoilt by the sanding you need to do in a few areas of the turret to get it to either match up or hide joints. The tracks while not strictly accurate I can live with them as 1.6mm is not something most will ever notice unless told and they go together very well and are easy to impart sag to. I have no idea what happened with the rear panel of the upper hull but that is again easily overcome with some minor modelling skills and scrap plastic.

I have always when asked in the forums “what KV tank model to buy” said any Trumpeter kit, but in the case of this one I will have to stop and think carefully. The model is overall accurate dimensionally but the added cost of this model over the older ones makes me question if the added photo etched fret, turned metal barrel, and individual tracks are worth the added expense. The plastic barrels in the earlier kits are acceptable, the link and length tracks takes some work but does provide an acceptable finish, a much greater quantity of photo etched items and a turned barrel can be had from LionRoar for £10.

So that aside what am I actually getting an admittedly better quality moulded kit with some very nice rendered detail on the turret, and with the exceptions of the missing parts a very buildable kit which on the whole goes together well. I would buy this model if I saw it online or in a shop, but then again I have a soft spot for the KV tank because its big, overweight, and ugly...just like me.

Neil Stokes website can be found here:
4bogreen

Our thanks to Stevens International for providing this kit for review purposes.