Which is the best current KV-1 to get? I'm not really enthralled with the old Tamiya kit. What do you guys recommend?

Andrew - Wait! The Trumpeter KVs should be out soon.. Alternatively, take a look at some of the Eastern Express ones... Jim

I have never tried an Eastern Express kit but I've ordered one so I'm very curious about the quality and detail. Can anyone tell me about the quality in comparison to the Tamiya kits? I do know that Tamiya oversimplified the tank



I really can't wait to the trumpeter kits

My EE was horrible! and so I checked the other EE kits I have and it DID NOT get any better. I think I could be built into a good kit, with time, lots of filler (was this a mold of the MOON!), and a harder plastic. My biggest enemy at this point in my life is time, so the kits are back on the shelves until I have more time to devote to them. BTY, I did get mine for a great price, and they are some unusal builds, kinda like short run A/C kits.

for what its worth.

Have a great weekend!!

Mmm Lol okey :-)

I will see what I get One positive thing, I have plenty of time so I will make the best of it.

Jurjen

I'd agree with Jim, and wait until Trumpeter bring theirs out. Tamiya's are crude (originating in the late 60s) but basically accurate, and EEs have lots of 'challenges' in the moulding, but can be made to look nice with work from what I've seen.

As David says, the Tamiya kit is accurate but really crude. There were several PE KV detail sets to help this kit. One of the nicer ones was made by On The Mark. Simple but rather effective.

The Tamiya tracks are worthless unless you want a motorized KV to chase the cat across the carpet.

The only Eastern Express kit I attempted is the PT-76B. I had similar experiences to Puma112's statements.

I guess if I really wanted to build one now and not wait for a newer kit coming down the pipe, I would start with one of the Tamiya kits, add a PE set and hunt down an aftermarket track set.

The real issues with the Tamiya kits are 1) The wheels. they need replacing if you are doing an early version. For example:



2) The turret on the KV-2 is a touch misshapen... So it would be new (early) running gear, new turret(s) and basically be easier waiting for the new Trumpeter ones. Alternatively, the EE wheels could be used alng with the Tamiya kit...Jim

Cool, I didn't knew Trumpeter was coming with new KV tanks.....got to check the news section a little better I guess :-)

I am just finishing the EE KV-85. I find that the detail is good. All of the pieces have a little flash on them, especially at the edges, so you have to spend some time doing clean up. Fit is generally good. The instructions leave out some things so you need some good references to get things in the right places. Some guys in Russia and Estonia sent me lots of photos of the real thing and a build review of the kit. These were invaluable and I thank them. For an average builder like me, it is a bit of a challenge, but I am looking to improve my skills so this was what I wanted. Plus it is the only KV-85 kit on the market.

I made turret grab handles from brass wire and rear deck rods from plastic rod. Used Friul metal tracks and a Jordi Rubio gun barrel along with Archer Dry Transfers. First time for the dry transfers and they beat decals hands down. Put them over a gloss surface and then spray them with glosscoat to protect them. I think the kit is worth the time and it is reasonably priced. Especially if you like Russian armour and I do!

Cheers,

Ken Lawrence

Here's a link to some reviews on tracklink


http://www.track-link.net/reviews/D_L/Eastern_Express