I would like to biuld a KV-85 and have a chance to pick up the eastern Espress Kit in 1/35th scale, is this kit accuarate in any way. can i get any other kits to help build a decent KV-85. I am not a rivet counter, Thanks for any replys and please add any kits that i can get to help me build this tank . Thanks in advance Mike

Mike you need new tracks:
I recommend MasterClub Tracks for KV-1s Early Workable that can be bought at HistoricaBooks in US. Ant KV tracks will work for non-rover counters. Also used barrel from CMK and detail set from Eduard. PS: This is a lot of work!



HTH, Dmitry

You mean alot of work as in fitment of the parts or just alot of pieces. I take it the eastern exspress Hull is fine to work with, i was under the inpression the KV-85's where built off the KV-1s hull. I am also under the impression the turret is workable from the EE kit. I am not knew to modeling just a little out of practice. Any other info you have Build log, photo's, advice LOL will be of help. Thanks Mike

Moldings are a bit heavy, thick sprue gates, lots of flash, but once you clean it all up, the kit itself is quite reasonable in accuracy and detail. You'll need to grind off the engine deck screens and replace them with some decent photoetch (the plastic is quite thick, so a Dremel motor tool would not be out of place here).
Kit tracks are stiff vinyl with poor inside detail. Tracks should be split link "lightweight" style as seen on the KV-1S and the IS-2 (i.e., center guides on alternate track links only). They are available from Friul or Model Kasten. Regular KV tracks would be too wide.
The Armor Scale 85 mm metal gun and resin mantlet are a good investment, as the mantlet in the kit is based on a prototype, and the molding is poor on that part, anyway.
You will need to move the turret ring forward, as the larger turret ring of the IS turret could not intrude into the engine compartment, so the center point is slightly forward of that on the KV-1S hull (that's why the driver's hatch was eliminated). Some reviewers have said the Eastern Express turret shell is slightly too shallow--I haven't checked it myself. That wouldn't be hard to fix as long the top and bottom haven't been glued yet.

This is a major project. Major is the operative word. I haven't built it, so I can only generalize. I am working on an Su-152, based on the same moulds.

The base kit is okay, no more.

Replacement roadwheels are available from Artisan Mori or Hussar. Sprockets and tracks from MiniArm. Fenders from Aber (for KV-late). Barrel from Armorscale. PE from Eduard and Aber and Voyager, (KV and IS sets scavenged for useable parts). Parts from the DML and Tamiya IS-2s may also be useful.

There is good information on the KV-85 and a build log of the EE Kit in M-Hobby #23 and #55 (in Russian). It is not a tank that gets much attention, so this is useful information.

HTH
Scott Fraser

Thanks, As always the info in this sight is the best in the world. Great info and i will be looking into all of those parts to build this kit. I picked up a couple of kits for cheap just to see what i can do. One question, how far do i have to move the turret ring and if i dont how much does it take away from the finished model. Like i said i am not a rivet counter but i would still like to fix most of the issues to make a good kit. Thanks again Mike

PS: The kit picture with this thread is a nice build how much was done to it to make it look like it is.

Mike,
Everything you need to build an accurate KV-85 can be found by going to my website: Decalcomaniacs! Go to the bottom of the page and click on the link for Neil Stokes' seminar on the KV (he's currently writing a book on the same subject, think T-34 Mythical Weapon without the stupid editorializing). I hope that helps.
Regards,
Georg

I just eyeballed it so the rear of the turret base didn't overlap the engine deck any more than the KV-1S did. You just whittle away the front edge of the turret opening on the hull top and add a styrene strip to the rear face of the opening. The sides of the turret ring extension are separate parts, so you just eyeball those as well when you glue them in place on the sides of the hull.

Just to let everyone know, Royal models also does an extensive set for the KV-85, and also has a serperate late KV roadwheel set. Their stuff is pricey, but very nice. I am actually thinking of doing a KV-85 with a Trumpeter lower hull and a DML IS-1 turret, but good luck with yours!!