KV-I mod. 1941 late Version

Frank Krause
Hi Anthony, that'll be interesting! I also have some Eastern Express KV kits in my stash. Please share your experience with that kit, when building. Thanks!

Anthony Flanagan
Frank - I actually have been working on this one off and on for awhile, I am working on the lower hull right now. I can tell you without a doubt the kit has some serious flash issues and the road wheels required serious trimming to reduce and/or smooth a seem where the molds met. I had to go around each road wheel w/ a knife to get them smooth and even. I still have to check them to be sure they are all okay. I will let you know more as I go.

Frank Krause
Wow, Anthony! Sounds like a challenge! Thanks for the info!

So I'd better build the Express Express ones, before I start the next Trumpeter kit, otherwise I'll never do it. I'm planning a KV-1S without any fenders. I saw a video of such a tank, but can't find it anymore...

Thanks for sharing your experience. I highly appreciate this! 🙂

Anthony Flanagan
Yeah, I think you would do good to build the Eastern Express first. The flash and trimming is the kind of thing to do while watching TV etc. For me that can be a turn off, hence I work on other kits for awhile. Funny thing - I built the Italeri/Zvezda JS-2, it did not have near the flash/trim issues this kit does. I thought these kits would be closer in quality.

Anthony Flanagan
Comments: I have already mentioned the flash issue. An much bigger issue is the instructions. Let's just say in many ways they are more suggestions than instructions. Last night I had to pry loose a part from front of the glacis plate in order to get the deck and hull tub to match up. Argh! Fit is another issue. Though I was not expecting "Tamiya", the mantlet fit is very suspect but the gun seems to be holding in place. I cannot, however, get the gun to elevate or depress at all. So very limited options for posing. I have some questions about how the AA gun is supposed to be applied to the turret/hatch as what I see from the instructions does not appear to match the shape of the in parts.
I am building this one OOB strictly. For accuracy discussion see:
4bogreen.com/kv-seri..d-1942-early-version

Frank - I hope you wil find these comments informative. I am nearly finished with construction and may provide a few more observations later.

Cheers!

Mike Kryza
Hi Tony - do you upload some pics??? - Could be helpful. Greetings - Mike

Frank Krause
Hi Anthony!
Yeah thanks a lot. I've got 3 Eastern Express kits of the KV series... What am I going into...?
I've got Trumpeter's KV-8. The instructions nicely show, how to fit the AA-gun to the hatch. Hope, this will help you. Click on the thumb nail for big view:
[img1]

Anthony Flanagan
Mike - have taken some pictures. I will try to upload a few that will be demonstrative.
Frank - wow, that diagram appears way different from what my instructions show. I will let you know how it works out.
Thanks guys,

Frank Krause
Hi Anthony, how is it going? Hope you're doing fine! Any progress on your KV?

Anthony Flanagan
Frank - no progress since we last corresponded. I put the KV aside and slapped together a Skybow Tiger I. I was a little frustrated with the KV and decided to give a rest. Skybow assembly is completed, so it will be back to the KV soon.

Augie
Frank, what do you think to the eastern express KV's? i'm looking for one

Frank Krause
Hi Augie,
with the choice of today's kits I would always prefer a Trumpeter KV. The early kits are still cheap and the later ones still reasonable. And they are fun to build for sure.
Eastern Express kits were good at their time and will still build into a nice kit, but you have to expect some fit issues, some flash, stiff rubber tracks and not that sharp and crispy details as Trumpeter kits have.
Exception: The KV-9, but for the only reason, that there isn't such kit from Trumpeter yet.

Anthony Flanagan
Augie - I am working on the EE KV-1. Frank is absolutely correct regarding fit, flash etc.

Augie
Yea... I'm actually after the KV-9.. mainly as its what i use in world of tanks.. the 122MM U-11.. 🙂

Frank Krause
Then you can play a poker game and wait, if Trumpeter will come up with it. The KV-122 is already in progress, so why no KV-9.... Or you have to go through the same hell Anthony is experiencing, but you're a modeller. You'll make it! Do you already have a source for the KV-9? I guess, it isn't produced anymore. Or you could get the ARK Kit, which is obviously a rebox of the EE kit.

Augie
I was thinking of taking the mantle from the ark kit and fitting in a trumpy..

Frank Krause
@Augie: 😄 👍 Be careful to take the right hull. It should be this one, when I look at the drawings here: aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?PST-72034

KV-1 model 1942 Lightweight Cast Tank (Trumpeter 00360, 1:35)

Augie
Hehe thanks Frank, Soon to be ordered on payday.... damn it. got the Armour bug again