"Tamiya" KV-II with "ModelKasten" Early Turret

[shawngehling]

KV-II Dreadnought
Well I know that I should finish the model on the table before
starting another, but I just couldn't wait...
It was too wet, rainy and windy this past long weekend, so I broke
open an old conversion kit that I get at a show last year that was
missing some pieces and started another build. :evil:
I have always loved the early KV-II, (I have the new Trumpeter kit)
but thought I would play around with this one first.
Here is the work in progress. Sorry I built the turret before I took
out the camera.
Tamiya boxed KV-II (Late).

ModelKasten Early "Dreadnought" turret.

Tamiya Chassis with the wheels on. (haven't filled the motorization holes yet).

Turret close-up.

Turret on chassis.

Let me know what you think so far. Just something to keep me out of trouble last weekend.
I will keep you posted on the build.
Shawn

 

[Iron Mike]

Very cool, Shawn! A mailbox on tracks! Seriously, the KV-2 is ugly enough to be super cool in my book, can't wait to see what you do with it, will be following closely as I have the Trumpeter kit and the Aber set to go with it. :woohoo:

 

[mike walsh]

Hi Shawn,

Thats a huge gun .Very intrusive .
The builds coming along pretty well .

Be careful when the model kasten track goes on because of the weight factor the
tracks have a tendency to click out of place ,(break apart).

Look forward to more progress images.

Michael

 

[shawngehling]

Iron Mike and Michael,
Thanks for the good words and advice.
The ModelKasten (TURRET) is an old after market kit.
I do not plan to add P/E or after market tracks. (Although I'm sure that
Metal tracks would look really sweet on it).
I cut old vents off the top of a KV-Ib and put them on the back top of the
turret last night. Still don't know if it is going to be Soviet, German
or destroyed??? (Decisions/decisions)... hmy:
Thanks again.
Will keep posting pictures as it goes.
Shawn

 

[Gremlin]

Hi Shawn nice so far. Is the turret another type that was installed on to the KV2. I like it. B)
Adam

 

[shawngehling]

Adam,
Thanks,
This would be the early type turret.
Trumpeter has made this kit now.
Shawn

 

[53Chevy]

Hey Shwan, nice stuff! I've got one of those floating around too. I just saw some great KV photos at militaryphotos.net. On the fron page under most viewed there is a thread called Russian photos. Go to page 1904-1906 can't remember exactly. Some great photos. Ryan

 

[shawngehling]

Thanks Ryan,
I will check them out.
Shawn

 

[G Cooper]

Hi Shawn.

That is a great looking turret on the Tamiya hull.

A couple of things though. First is if you want to make it a captured vehicle in German use, I think that they always put a German Pz III or IV commanders cupola on. And the next thing is a suggestion that I believe that the Trumpeter kits have a choice of two types of tracks. You could use one of them on this kit, which would either one be better than what Tamiya gives you. And as far as the motorization holes, there is a quick and easy way to deal with this if you are not going to model it destroyed and laying on its side or upside down. Just use some Elmers glue (or super glue or whatever) to cover the holes with a piece of paper, then paint the paper, and the rest of the interior black. Quick and easy. And last would be to consider cutting out the engine screens and putting on any type of screen you might have around (even window screen works for this), then doing the Elmers glue and paper thing again from the inside under the engine vents. That way you have a bit of detail on an otherwise basic early war Soviet tank.



And heres something to look at incase you feel inclined.About the only thing diffrent from yours would be the turret.

http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/dmitry_kiyatkin/kv-1/


Gary B)

 

[Chris ITA]

I didn't even know modelkasten made turrets. Great work so far Shawn.

Are the tracks like their KVI tracks (i.e. no detail on the inside)?

 

[shawngehling]

Thanks Chris, (same tracks as the KV-I)
Gary,
I will have to look again, but I think I only got one
set of tracks with my Trupeter???
Thanks for the site with the KV-I great detail pics.
I usually cover the inside with sheet plastic and then fill
it with putty, but those are some neat ideas.
As for the German conversion, (I've seen them both ways). with
and without.
I wanted to make it a vehicle captured by the Fins, but all
the reference I have doesn't show that they ever captured any.
As this version (some say there were only 4 made w the
Early 1939 turret or "Big Turret" I don't know if anyone knows
for sure)??? Since none are still around who knows?
They were originally made for the Finish "Winter War" as a
"Bunker Buster" with a 152mm gun. Most books say two in Mid
Febuary 1940 after trials were sent to the 20th Armoured
Brigade in the Karelian Isthmas, Finland. That will be where
this one is going.
They claim that they might have or might not have seen any
action, but one had been hit 48 times without a penetration.
Some say that "Meretskov's" and others reports about the
excellent results achieved by the KV-II's against fortified
positions and pillboxes, were referring to test conducted
against captured enemy positions??? Who knows.
I think it looks cool.
All the pictures show it without a bow machine gun, but they
are just the prototype photos. But all the reference info says
it was put on an unmodified KV-I Chassis, so I went with the
bow machine gun.
I got a lot more done this weekend and will post more pictures.
Shawn

 

[Cheyenne]

Nice work Shawn , the KVIIs are my fav WWII Russian armor !!!

 

[shawngehling]

Thanks Cheyenne,
I like all the big and beefy Soviet stuff...
Well the wife needed a ride to the Dr.'s this AM, so I took
the day off and stayed home to model...
Got lots done on the KV-II and my Duel in the sun project.
Hope to post pictures tonight or tomorrow.
Thanks again.
Shawn

 

[shawngehling]

Hello Everyone,
Well here is the next installment of this build.
This is what she looks like with the basic green paint job.
No matter what I did, I just couldn't get the kit tow cables
to hang right, so I cut the ends off and replaced them with
picture hanging wire.
Left overhead

Right overhead

Rear with exhaust

Tarp added to right rear

Here is what she looks like with her numbers added. Since only two of the
four that were built, were sent to Finland I thought that I would keep it simple.
They would have to have something to keep the records of which one did what?

Right

Left

Front

Rear

Next comes the weathering. I will keep that simple as it would not have seen
too much action, although it will have a heavy "Black wash" and some minor
damage and weathering. (soon to follow).
Enjoy
Shawn

 

[shawngehling]

Well it has received a nice black wash and is getting ready for some light
weathering.

Front

Rear

Right

Left

Enjoy
Shawn

 

[shawngehling]

Well this project in now in the bag... She's done and until I find
or make the right base for her, I can't finish weathering the tracks
and such...
Here is a close up of the front with all it's weathering.

Here is the Rear close up.

Right side view with weathering.

Left side view with weathering and figure for scale.

Hope you guys like it, let me know what you think.
Shawn