Next beast from russian part of my collection:

1. T-26 done 1937
2. BT-7
3. T-28
4. T-34/76 done 1942
5. T-34/85
6. KV-1/KW-2 at workshop KV-1S/85
7. IS-2 done
8. Su-76
9. Su-85/100 at workshop Su-100
10. Su-122
11. ISU-152 done

Looking good, quick question this kit can be built as a KV-1S or a KV-85, or some odd varient. I would like to build a KV-85 and I wasn't sure if this was the kit I needed.

Tom

No, no, no, this is NOT a KV-85. This is a kit of a single prototype built mainly to demonstrate that the KV1S turret was too cramped for a crew to serve the 85mm weapon. It was assembled at the same time as the KV-85 prototype and the IS-1 (IS-85) prototype in July-August, 1943 (contrary to popular belief, the Soviets were already developing up-gunned heavy tanks before the Battle of Kursk).
As expected, the the KV-1S-85 was impossibly cramped, and was rejected. The second two prototypes were cleared for production--the KV-85, as it could be produced almost immediately, and the better-armored IS-1, which would be ready for production about two months later. The new turret for the 122mm-armed IS-2 was already being developed before the IS-1 even entered production.
Trumpeter does have a KV-85 kit, but it has some problems. The tracks are the wrong width, being KV-1 tracks, and the turret shell is that of an IS-2, which had a rounded upper left rear corner and a different left side contour. You could cross-kit the turret shell from the old Eastern Express/Ark KV-85 kit (though it also needs a slight reshaping of the left side and left rear contours), or you could just wait for Bronco's KV-85 kit, which appears to be correct, based on the images they've released.

Thanks Gerald I will wait for the Broncos kit, its not like I have nothing to build. I really appreciate your quick reply. Thanks again.

Tom

Black Pactra instead of mr.Surfacer and green:

Sidolux, decals, wash, chipping:

KV done:

Great finish!

Interesting "what-if" version. Of course, the tank was never produced, for the Guards divisions, or anybody else. But it looks beautiful!

Yes, turret was too small for 85mm gun. Russians build only one prototype but experiences was used at build KV-85