KV-2 Soviet Heavy Tank Trumpeter 1/35

It is a standard KV-2. I built it in December 2014.

I had made a German-captured version of KV-2 but never had it. Now I’m making a Russian Heavy tank KV-2. It’s an excellent chance to add this tank to my finish-up list.

I made the KV series many times and was able to assemble it without seeing the instruction manual about the chassis. Speedy work.

This gun barrel’s hole is not centered; I need to adjust it later.

Easy assembling (though it took a couple of days). I attached toolboxes more than the instruction, three right sides and three left sides, and shortened the metal wires a little.

KV’s partial consolidation caterpillar tracks are excellent, even its older kit. I recommend you choose this, not the belts caterpillar, which is also included in this box.
(11-November-2014)

I tried to use Tamiya light-curing putty for a 3-dimensional mud expression.

Rear, also sticking putty.

Before painting, I took a shot from the other side for memory.

I added two figures from the Tristar Russian tank crew set. I adjust the gap between the body and arms to use some putty.

So many relaxing poses are holding cigarettes, the right side also holding it, but I have not yet prepared it.

Back shot. This Russian tank crew helmet is an excellent mold and shape.

This Tristar Russian Tank Crew set is a nice figure but old. Maybe it isn’t easy to buy from a hobby shop. I want these nice sets to be available for a long time, though the volume is a few.
(14-November-2014)

This tank has many large flat surfaces, so I changed three colors in the random paintings. Russian green first half of the WWII color is lighter than the later WWII, but we can choose it by feeling. The only light green color feels not so strong and like a grasshopper.

I added the red star on the left corner for the accent. “За Сталина! ” is the meaning of “for Stalin!!” I suppose.
(21-November-2014)

Here’s the completed KV-2. While working, this tank’s primary color is lighter but now subdued.

Because the main armament is a 152mm howitzer, there was no armor-piercing power, but it would be awful destructive power against fortress and pillboxes.

Washing repeatedly and the plain surfaces are changed. Too much use of rust color is something artificial though catchy eye points.

KV-2 weight is 52t. It was cumbersome and could make only 15km/h on the non-leveling ground running. It might be careful about the weak ground like German tanks.

Many welding lines and big rivets are used, and these are made an impression of burliness. It is not detailed like German tanks, which is one of the appeal points of Russian tanks.

My favorite point of the KV series is a wide and heavy caterpillar. I shaded off the side of the chassis in various ways not to become monotonous. I have dry brushed and made shine, attracted attention.

Headlight clear parts are excellent for this KV series kit. I hope all the other tank kit headlight parts are the same as this quality.

The tank crew is out of the hatch. He is looking left side.

Another tank crew. I can paint the injection figure’s face not so badly these days. This guy looks like a western person…

The tank crew’s blue coverall is a good accent on this green tank. I think having rust on the wires first, but many other areas are already rusty, and it’s enough.

I attached dimensional mud to use putty. In recent days, I think it’s not a diorama, so there is no need for too much effect of weathering all the time.

There were two marks on the side of this turret which is some hooks, but it’s not suitable for this kit, and I removed all. I should have done it earlier, before the painting process…

These photos are taken based on ISO 400 for a try. But noises are many, I suppose. The ISO 200 setting is better. Anyway, I need to research, try, and error.

KV-2 is a simple shape and has a very nice presence. I made many KV series and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
(23-November-2014)