Introduction

Due to the nature of military production and the necessity of standardization, inevitably, the different variants of a vehicle will have many parts in common. Certainly this was the case in WW2 with all the major combatants. Therefore it is logical to assume that an upgrade set (for a 'series' vehicle) will have many components in common. Not perhaps to this extent though...

The Upgrade set.

35884 - KV-1E Upgrade Set is one of Eduard's recent 1/35th scale releases. The upgrade is designed for Trumpeter's 00357 - KV-1 's' Ehkranami. The set consists of two brass Photo-Etched sheets, two pages of instructions with all bein neatly folded into the usual plastic envelope.
The set is designed to cover the following areas:

1) Rear exhaust.

2) Rear Engine deck grilles.

3) Detailing on the side fenders

4) Driver's hatch

5) Commander's hatch

6) Storage boxes

7) AA MG mount.

Notes on this review.

This is the third of Eduard's KV upgrades which I have reviewed. As many of the parts are common to all three sets, I will reproduce the comments I made on the same areas, with additional commentaries where necessary.

In Detail.

Although the Trumpeter kits are excellent, there are a number of areas which require replacement or enhancement. In this review, i'll take a look at what Eduard has in the set and evaluate whether it's a valid improvement for the donor kit or not.

1) Lower (rear) Hull. In the rear exhaust of the original vehicle, there was a curved, mesh grille which was attached by four brackets. This is missing in the original kit and has been simplified with a solid plastic part (lacking the brackets). Eduard provide a replacement for this part along with the support brackets. - IMPROVEMENT

2) Rear Engine Deck Grilles. Eduard provide a new approach to the replacement grilles with three parts for each. This has the advantage (fiddly though it undoubtedly is) in creating a genuine reproduction of the original structure. Eduard have also, (correctly) done the 'complex' grilles which were seen on later, or mid-production KVs. These later models' grilles were tapered and flattened towards the front, - IMPROVEMENT

3) Fenders (underneath). A large, thin strip is provided to fit under the fenders. As this is not visible and of little practical value, - UNNECESSARY

4) Fenders (Support brackets). The original kit parts are a trifle thick, whereas, with an ingenious system of bending to double their thickness (but remain 'scale') the PE parts are excellent - IMPROVEMENT

5) Front Glacis. Only two areas are dealt with here, the front headlight and the klaxon. As these only consist of replacement brackets although enhancing the kit parts, - SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT

6) Turret Hatch/Driver's hatch. The detail on the interiors of the original kit parts is a bit 'vague' the PE set includes parts to convincingly recreate the locking mechanism. Fiddly, but at the end of the day, - IMPROVEMENT

7) Fender Storage Boxes. The kit parts aren't bad at all although the detail on them is a touch indistinct. Eduard offer enhancements in three areas - replacement hinges, replacement handles and the addition of buckles. A reasonably useful upgrade but, - NOT ENTIRELY NECESSARY.

8) AA MG Mount. I've been searching for months for photos of this (mythical?) beast and so far, has eluded me completely. At the moment, with having no evidence to support its field-use, my comment on this addition has to be a resounding - NOT NECESSARY AT ALL.

Conclusions.

Supposedly, going on the basis that one upgrade set for every kit, there is a certain amount of logic to Eduard producing this basic set. However, as the only REAL improvement over the other sets are the rear-deck grilles, I really am scratching my head trying to find some justification in spending nearly $25 on this set. The most logical would have been to simply produce the grilles and the fender supports on one fret. I find enormously difficulty in recommending this set on the basis there are parts which are of little or no value - the MG Mount in particular. This is, in final analysis, a GENERIC set for early/mid-production KV1s. Not a specific vehicle. Eduard in my opinion, need to look at what their competitors are doing and revise/rationalize their production accordingly.

Acknowledgements.

Firstly, my thanks to EDUARD for providing the set for review.

Secondly, Armorama has published a considerable number of reviews and features on the KV Series, all are listed and linked here: KV RESOURCE FEATURE