Trumpeter KV-2

Here's the starting shot for my KV-2 build. I'm showing both of my kits because I think I may need to use parts from both to build an accurate model of one or the other. Since I'm trying to finish my StuG for that build and begin my Hotckiss for the Israeli build, my plan was to build the KV out-of-the-box. However, I cannot leave the wheels as they are and will have to replace the abysmal grab handle blobs on the sides of the turret. I hope to get a start later today.



Mark

Hi Mark:

This should be real nice. I have always liked that big turret KV, and I can hardly wait to see what you can do with it.

Gary

Hi Mark, nice choice.
I hope one will be captured

Pavel

Hi Pavel!

Well, I do have a THIRD Trumpeter KV-2, their captured version, German Pz.kpfw KV-2 754(r). Looks as if it's their 1939 mod with commander's cupola and exterior jerry cans and ammo. If it's a more interesting kit I'll post a pic of it tomorrow and perhaps build it instead. If it weren't for my other group builds and pending group builds I'd probably attempt to build all three of the KV-2s this month.

Mark

The KV-2 is a brute of a tank! You could use copper wire or fuse wire for the handles, easy to bend. They work best if you have a mini drill to make holes for the ends. Or you could check the spares box for old styrene grab handles.

Good luck with the build Mark!

Cheers
JT

Oh you gotta love KV 2's , they look like a kid designed them but that is pretty kewl too !

Jenny

Watch your sources! A large part of my hesitation on which version to build is that I like to know exactly WHAT it is that I'm modeling. I have two sources at hand: (1) "Osprey's KV-1 & 2 Heavy Tanks 1939-45," and (2) Schiffer's "Stalin's Giants KV-I & KV-II." And, of course, they contradict each other.

In my photo above, the M1940 is called the KV-IIA by Schiffer throughout that book and the "Big turret" is described as the KV-IIB. Schiffer says the IIB had a pointed turret rear, had ribbed covers for the pinnions, and only a few were built. Schiffer infers the IIB preceded the IIA.

Osprey, however, labels the two versions as Model 1939 and Model 1940. The Mod 1939 was the initial prototype (duh) and is distinguished by slab-sided construction and V-shaped turret rear. These early prototypes were called "Large Turrets." The Mod 1940 had a simpler turret shape and smooth armored trunion cover.

So, Osprey and Schiffer are exactly 180 degrees apart on nomenclature. Since Osprey makes more sense and since the Trumpeter designations agree with Osprey, I am going to go that way, too.

So, long-story-short, I am going to use Schiffer only for its photos (quite good) and go with Osprey for the designation and any narrative. Now that this is settled I'll be building the production model, M1940.

(All of this makes not even close to a hill of beans, but it just goes to show you that it can be important to have more than one source.)

Mark
Paralysis through analysis

Hi Mark, I've got both books and I completely agree: the Schiffer Publication has great pictures but the text should be ignored.

Cheers
JT

Here are the initial sprue shots:

Upper hull and turret:


Hull attachments, drive sprockets, and idlers:


Lower hull and bins:


Road wheels and return rollers. Thank goodness Trumpeter molded the lightening holes open:


Sproing tracks and tow cables:


Here's a close-up of the turret side showing the wonderful job on the grab handles . A little fuzzy but you get the idea:


And, my initial work on assembling all the little wheelies this afternoon:

Hi Mark:

With the wheels out of the way, it looks like you have about half the work already finished . Now it's just figuring out those grab handles on the side of the turret, and your done .

Gary

Recent work . . . lower hull complete. Currently working on grab handles and drilling out exhausts.



Mark

Great progress Mark

That looks like a real good base there. And I don't know about you, but I always feel somewhat relieved when I finish with the running gear on a tank. It's almost like "Now the real building can start" .


Gary

Yes I agree with Gary, the boring stuff is done. Making good progress Mark!

Finished the grab handles on the turret:



Good ol' fly tying wire

Mark

Hi Mark:

Those look way better than the lumps that were there before.

Gary

Hi Mark

Nice progress, I use lead fly tying wire myself, is that stuff the same?

Simon

Good progress Mark.
But I think better is remove insulation from wire before use on model
Tip for next time.

P.

Hi Pavel,

The wire I used is fly-tying wire and there is no insulation on it, just a hard-baked black finish.

Mark

Two pics of the finished beast:





Guess I'll need to move this one to the front of the queue for painting

Mark

Looks great Mark!

Cheers
JT

Pushing up against the deadline, here's the primer coat:

Well, I hit Send too soon yesterday and left off some text I wanted to add, so here goes.

The primer I used is Vallejo's Russian Green Surface Primer (73609) sprayed straight from the bottle with only a little thinner added.

Today I faded the paint a bit using Model Air Russian Green (71.017) with some Model Air White (71.001) added. Then I added even more white and dusted the areas that would accumulate the most weathering. I know it's usually frowned upon to use white to lighten colors, but I've found, at least to my eye, that it gives a convincing rendition of weathered 4B0. (At least in 72nd scale. I haven't tried it yet in 35th.) Here's a shot of the faded paint job:



Next up is adding the decals to the turret, painting the tow cables, MGs, and tracks, then on to the final weathering. Eight days to go!

Mark

One word, Mark.
PERFECT!!


Pavel

Looking good Mark. I always use white when I lighten my base colours and I haven’t had any issues.