PST'sSeries of KV Heavy Tanks
Part1
For many years, the only1/72nd scale KV tank model was the old KV-1c from ESCI. Althoughthis was an outstanding model, it has been out of production formany years, and is now rare. However, the Red Army fielded alarge number of KV types, other than that single version. Thanksto the recent surge in interest in WW II Soviet tanks, therelatively new company of PST made a lot of modelers very happywith the release of almost every single version of this veryimportant tank of WW II, including some very esoteric vehicles.After seeing the high quality of their earlier IS and ISU seriesof heavy tanks, I was optimistic that PST would also give usexceptional kits of the KV series, and they have done thisadmirably.
This article will be acombined preview of all of PST's KV tank kits, due to thesimilarity of the models. In fact, because of the inclusion ofseveral optional parts, as well as the very minor differencesbetween KV versions, some of the kits are identical, differingonly in boxart. Many of the part sprues are common between all ofthe KV models, so I have sorted the following review to indicatewhich sprues are included with each kit, keeping repetition to aminimum. In this current article, I have only provided part scansfor the PST kits. In a later article, I will present and discussall available KV kits, conversions, and accessories in 1/72ndscale.
The KV heavy tank came inseveral different flavors. The initial prototype was well aheadof its time, as far as armor protection and weaponry wereconcerned, although it was hampered by mechanical difficulties.As the war progressed, improvements and changes were made to botharmor and firepower (as well as drive train upgrades, which willnot be visible on our scale models). I have presented the kits inapproximately chronological order, and very briefly describe thedifferences of each type from the previous versions.
The KV-1 is also known asthe KV-1 Model 1939, and saw very brief service in the Winter Warwith Finland, as well as the early stages of World War II. Thiswas the initial production version, armed with the L-11 76.2mmmain gun, which was the same weapon used on the earliest versionof the T-34 as well. There was no machinegun mounted in the fronthull of the early examples, and the gun mantlet is verydistinctive. Later tanks had the hull machinegun added, and thiskit allows you to build either.
With this kit, I willintroduce most of the basic parts for all the succeeding KVmodels.
The hull top is the firstof four hull styles currently provided by PST, and represents theearliest variety. Overall, the piece is very well done, withexcellent molding, detail and accuracy. The engine intake grateshave a very good mesh pattern molded into them, although theywould look better yet replaced with etched brass. Notice the boltdetail and panel lines on the engine deck. Some deficienciesinclude the closed crew and engine access hatches, and the lackof detail along the fenders. When this kit was first released, Isaw that the hull on the old ESCI kit was much better detailedthan this one (although of a later version of the tank), but PSThas since improved the detail on the later hull styles, as willbe seen further on.
The above sprue shows mostof the miscellaneous details that come with each and every KVkit. It includes spare fuel cannisters, fender stowage bins, towhooks and rings, the end-loops for the tow cables (which need tobe manufactured by the modeler), as well as numerous smallerdetails.
The lower hull and wheelsprue is mostly identical through all of the following kits, butwith the road wheels occasionally changing as appropriate. Theidler and sprocket wheels are very detailed, with two types ofhub cap for the sprocket wheel (early and late). The returnrollers are likewise well done:
The sprue included in thiskit has the earliest style of road wheel, which is pictured belowin detail:
As you can see, the wheelis very detailed, and accurately reproduced, but many of thewheels are molded off-center, with the rims varying in thicknessaround the circumference of the wheel. Some careful sanding canreduce the problem somewhat, but it may still be noticeable onthe finished model, if one knows what to look for.
The chassis looks verygood, but the mounting arms for the road wheels are a littleheavy, and if viewed without the wheels on the tank, they mayneed to be carved a little bit, to take the backs off of them.The reason they are too thick was in order to mold them onto thehull sides, instead of as separate parts. But they won't benoticeable if the model is built with a complete set of wheelsand tracks.
Speaking of tracks, theyare hard plastic, link-and-length, and for the most part arepretty well detailed. They are not quite as finely detailed assome of the newest Revell tracks, but they are certainly welldone and good enough to use.
The final sprue includedin this kit is the turret sprue. This sprue is common to many ofthe following kits, and it includes all the optional parts(primarily gun mantlets and armor) to build several versions ofthe KV-1. Most of the parts are add-on armor plates for use inthe later KV-1E kit, and three versions of gun mantlet, but forthis current kit, there are actually very few turret parts used.
The decals are fairlysimple, with this sheet covering both the KV-1 and the followingKV-1A kit. For this scan, and all the following decal scans,please note that I have altered the contrast and brightness ofthe images in order to better show the white markings. In allcases, these decals are very good, and in fact, are some of thebest kit decals I have ever used. They are very thin and crisplyprinted. With proper use of a decal setting solution, and a clearflat coat, the decal film completely disappears. Although thisparticular sheet has few options, keep in mind that in the earlystages of the war, Soviet tanks carried few, if any, markings.
At about the same timethat the KV-1 was entering service, so was the infantry supportversion, called the KV-2. The KV-2 Model 1939 underwent trialsduring the Winter War with Finland, and due to its performance,some minor changes were made. The most apparent of these was aredesigned turret, which is now referred to as the KV-2 Model1940, and is the subject of this kit. This version saw actionduring the early stage of World War II.
This kit is essentiallythe same as the KV-1, but with a new turret sprue replacing theKV-1 turret sprue. All other parts are the same as the preceedingkit.
Once again, the turret isvery well done. The commander's hatch is open, but although thereis no opening for the rear loading hatch, the hatch door ismolded as a separate part, so that the modeler can cut an openingfor the hatch, in order to pose it in the open position (turretinterior detail would need to be added).
The decals are sharedbetween this kit and the KV-1B, and give only one marking optionfor this tank.
This version is also knownas the KV-1 Model 1940, and has a few subtle changes from theearlier KV-1. The most obvious of which, is the change from the76.2mm L-11 cannon to the F-32 cannon of the same calibre. Forthis kit, the difference is reflected in using a different gunmantlet and gun barrel. There is also the addition of the fronthull machinegun, and armor strips along the turret race.
This kit is identical tothe KV-1 kit, including the decal sheet, with the onlydifferences obviously being the boxart and the instruction sheet.
Due to an incorrectassessment of German anti-tank capabilities, there was an effortto uparmor the KV-1 to provide more protection. The solution wasto bolt applique armor plates to the turret and hull sides.Although greatly increasing the protection, the additional weightwas troublesome, and as it turned out, unnecessary. The resultwas known as the KV-1E, or "KV-1 Applique Armor".
This kit is identical tothe KV-1A kit, but with a new decal sheet, providing a couple ofmarking options.
The KV-1B is also calledthe KV-1 Model 1941. Again, the main difference is a change ofthe primary armament from the F-32, to the Zis-5, which isessentially the same gun as the F-34 used on the later T-34variants. Also again, the difference in the building of this kitis the use of a new gun mantlet and barrel.
The model is identical tothe previous KV-1's, with a new box and instructions. The decalsare the same as with the KV-2 kit.
The KV-8 was aflamethrower version of the KV-1. The gun mantlet was changed toincorporate the flame nozzle (replacing the co-axial machinegun)and a smaller main gun (45mm) in place of the 76.2mm. A sleevewas fitted over the 45mm gun barrel, in order to make it appearlarger, and not draw undue attention from enemy anti-tankgunners.
This kit is the same asthe earlier KV-1 kits, with new decals. Note that the boxartshows the tank with the later style road wheels, which isdeceiving; the kit actually contains the same wheels as theearlier KV's. But this is not to say that the box is historicallyinaccurate. I imagine that this vehicle could have probably beenseen with both wheel styles, but be aware that only the earlystyle is included in the kit.
Continue to Part 2
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