It looks like a nice clean build, my only concerns is the light is pointing up in the air and what happened to the pre formed tracks with the moulded sag? Or did you use the rubber band style tracks they include. Ill be honest I’ve cheated as I’ve bought the entire KV range Trumpeter produce I’ve made a jig to take a set of wheels that I can mould the tracks too before placing them on the model. The only thing I really didn’t like about the construction of this particular kit was the turret coming in two parts rather than one. Any how at the end of the day as long as you are happy that’s what matters, well done.

In order to obtain the track sag that is shown in the pre moulded links in the box try following these steps.

1. Remove the rubber band tracks.

2. Take the moulded top set of tracks and remove the guide horns if needed so that you can place them on the wheels

3. Mark the side of the tank with a pencil at the lowest point of the sag (make sure you mark the tread side and not the guide horn side).

4. Drill a small hole on the pencil mark just big enough to take a fine metal rod and match the hole on the other side of the tank.

5. Cut the required number of rods (I believe its 3) a few mm shorter than the distance from the outside of the tracks on one side to the outside of the tracks on the other side.

6. Replace the rubber band tracks.

7. Insert the metal rods which forces the rubber band tracks down simulating track sag. Use cyno to hold the metal rods in place if needed.

8. Paint the metal rod holding down the tracks to match the colours used on the tracks to disguise them.

This should give you a better representation of how the tracks sag on the real thing. I have use this method on kits supplied with just rubber band style tracks and while not perfect it does help to emulate the look of the real thing.

I think it looks very nice,welcome to the world of armor modeling.The only thing i could point out is that for a Russian vehichle it looks real clean,maybe a wash or some pigments,also need to weather the decals,the white looks real bright ,but keep up the fine work.

Hi Dany,

if "sagging the tracks" will be to much work, don't worry. You'll find that under certain circumstances the tracks were nearly straight!

http://mechcorps.rkka.ru/files/kv2/images/kv-2_041.jpg

Most often there was sag, but be aware not to overdo, hence the KV-2 had a very short service life, so wear and tear hadn't much chance to lengthen the tracks. (the average KV-1 often had greater amount of sag)

If I could place my 2cent, I would comment on the decals. First of all, there is no evidence of a KV-2 (big turret - and there weren't much of them!) with slogans on the turret. And if one speculates on that, I'll be in doubt, that they would have tilted the stars (or better hammer&sickle) in that way!

Best wishes

Volker

P.S.: Excuse my bad english, not a native speaker

Looks good to me. That is in my list of kits to build. I am just once again starting to build again.

Danny:
Looks good. Gotta love these Trumpeter kits. I am building a KV1E right now. I think the molded track links look better than the rubber band tracks. You did a great job weathering the tracks.

Keep up the good work

Hi Danny. For your second armor model, you should be very proud. Wish my first 2 years of models looked anywhere as good as this.
Over time you start to pick up on information like Darren and Volker have addressed, and will help improve and make your models more accurate. It doesn´t help when companies take liberties with things like the choice of decals in this kit, but you made them sit perfectly anyway, which is all good experience with your next model. Looking forward to more!

Looks really great!

The only small nicpicks I can find is the tracks, the tilted stars, headlight pointed upwards. Otherwise it is a great build and much better than my second kit.

Good job - and thanks for sharing