I posted a few months back to scratch build or kit bash a KV-85, i had some great answers but failed to write them all down. I was wondering what kits to use as a base and then possible upgrades. Turrets,tracks,PE, that sort of info. I just started back modeling after alot of years. Also is there any tutorial on this sight that breaks down the step's in painting figures, From start to finish and what paints are used with the most success. Thanks in advance. PS: KV-85 in 1/35th scale

Eastern Express had a KV-85 in 1/35th scale, and though that firm is defunct, the molds have passed to a new company called Ark, and it's available from several European mail order houses. Detail varies from crude with lots of flash in some places, to quite delicate in others. The base kit is the KV-1S, with a new turret, and turret ring extensions for the hull sides. You should move the turret forward a bit, as the new, larger turret ring could not intrude into the engine compartment--that's why the driver's hatch was eliminated on this variant, as the repositioned turret crowded it out. The turret itself can be improved a bit--it's very slightly low, so a small styrene shim between the top and bottom halves can help, and the shape of the bulge on the left side of the turret needs to be enlarged slightly with epoxy putty. These tanks used the same track as the later IS-2, so use an aftermarket version, as the kit tracks are very stiff vinyl with poor detail (don't use standard KV-1 tracks, as these are too wide). The engine deck intake screens are large, solid, rectangular blobs of styrene, so grind them off and add a photoetch replacement.
Any photoetch for the KV-1S will also work on a KV-85 (try Eduard). Model Kasten sells a set of workable split link IS-2 tracks, and Friul offers a set in white metal. These tracks alternated the full link with a centerguide tooth and a pair of split links without a tooth. Armor Scale offers a turned aluminum barrel with a corrected gun mantlet as well (the kit mantlet is incorrect, based on the prototype).

Just to add a bit to Gerald's excellent reply:

You want to move the turret 3.5mm forward.

Beware of the term "JS-2 tracks" since there were several versions. The one you want for the KV-85 is the narrow pattern split-link track. Friul's ATL-54 is my favorite for the KV-1S, KV-85 and SU-152 but you can also use ModelKasten SK-14 or WWII Productions 35038.

Cheers,

Neil

Just out of curiousity, does anyone have any thoughts on replacing the kit's turret with one from the recently re-released Dragon JS-1?

Yes, and my thought is - don't do it.

The DML "JS-1" actually includes an IS-2 turret (ie. with the asymmetrical roof, relocated cupola etc, so it's wrong for the IS-1 and the KV-85. In fact, for an accurate IS-1, you're better off working from the EE or Ark KV-85 kit.

Cheers,

Neil

Ouch! Not what I was hoping for, but you are the man. I've been collecting kits to do the KV series based on your seminar notes from 2007. I'm hoping that this is what you'll base your modeling section of your new website on? Thanks for the work to bring the information on the KV to light.

Oh, and I saw your comments on the T-34 being saturated with books as of late. I might agree if you're including the russian language publications, but in english, I think we could still use a good one! Even if it was just a translation...

Regardless, it's spectacular that anyone is working on creating quality publications in english on any of the soviet tanks. Thanks a bunch!

Matt K.