1:100 KV-3

The KV-3 in 1:100 scale from Zebranomodel

A small kit of the Soviet KV-3 heavy tank. The 1:100 scale means the finished model takes up only a few centimeters on a shelf; it is a format in which you can build a whole development line of one type without the display case bursting at the seams. The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted.

The real subject

The KV-3 was a Soviet heavy tank whose development followed on from the earlier machines of the KV line. Heavier armor and more powerful armament than the production version were planned for it, but series production was never started. It thus remained one of those projects that never got from drawings and prototypes into the units. That makes it an interesting addition to a collection for anyone interested in the development of heavy tanks and its dead ends.

Building and painting tips

A small scale forgives little: cleanly removed flash and a sanded hull joint will do more for the result than hours of detailing. Separate the parts with a sharp scalpel and sand dry with fine paper so that the small edges are not rounded off. Apply the paint in thin coats, because at 1:100 the thickness of the finish is proportionally large and easily swallows the relief of the surface. For accentuation, a dark wash in the shadows and a lighter polishing of the edges work well. If you find decals in the package, press them onto a gloss base and seal them with matte varnish, otherwise in a small scale the edges of the carrier film will stand out.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of small scales who build whole development lines
• Anyone interested in Soviet heavy tanks and their prototypes
• Modelers with limited room in a display case
• Players of tabletop games with miniatures in 1:100 scale

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.