First, I would like to say hello. I am new to this web site. I am happy to have found it. There is much good information here! There is also some great modelling talent!

I am getting back into modelling after an absence of 14 or so years. I was a big fan of the Tamiya 1/35 military miniatures back in those days, especially of Soviet WWII armor. I recently purchased a Tamiya KV-1 and KV-2 cheap on ebay and had loads of fun putting them together. I am looking forward to getting back into the hobby. I also am looking to learn from the experts at this web site. I am happy that there is a forum area dedicated to WW2 Soviet armor.

A question I have is concerning the cylindrical fuel tanks on Soviet armor. From what I understand from the Osprey and other books I have on Soviet armor, the cylindrical tanks went into use in early 1943. Where they ever in use before then, or were they invented around that time? Would it be inaccurate to build a 1941-1942 Soviet tank with cylindrical tanks?

Welcome to Armorama!

Before the the cylindrical drums, Soviet tanks used a variety of fuel tanks. The picture is complicated by the Soviet's lack of interest in identifying production changes and the re-working of surviving older tanks.

BT-7s and early T-34s both used oblong tanks, these were mounted on the sides if the upper hull of the T-34/41. Next the T-34 was fitted with angular fuel boxes attached to the hull rear. These came in at least two patterns and were seen on both 42 and 43 production models. Finally the cylindrical drum appeared, also on 42 and 43 production models and then the T-34-85.

KVs used a squarish container to start off with, before switching to a cylindrical drums. Petrol-engined version of the KV-1 had no less than 5 drums mounted on the trackguards, which makes for an impressive model.