1:72 Heavy Tank KV-1S

KV-1S Heavy Tank 1:72 — a PST kit

An injection-molded plastic kit of the Soviet KV-1S heavy tank in 1:72 scale from PST. The version with the letter S in its designation was a deliberate reworking of the KV-1 toward better mobility, so the model is told apart from the basic KV-1 mainly by the new cast turret with a commander's cupola. The 1:72 scale matches common figures and vehicles, so it suits a diorama too.

The real subject

The KV-1S appeared in 1942 as an answer to the main weakness of the KV heavy tanks, which was poor mobility and an overloaded transmission. The designers cut the weight by reducing the armor, fitted a new smaller cast turret with a commander's cupola and reworked the transmission. The result was a machine that kept up with advancing units better than its predecessors. The main armament stayed at 76 mm. The lightening meant weaker protection, however, and the KV series was soon replaced by the IS tanks.

Building and painting tips

Finish and paint the running gear and the hull detail before you close the assembly up. Wrap the 1:72 tracks dry around the wheels first, to judge the length and the sag you need. Lay a filler primer under the base green shade, then lift the edges with a lighter tone and pull the engraved lines out with a dark wash. Finish the commander's cupola and the vision slits with a brush. Build the weathering from the bottom upward; mud traces on the fenders and the running gear give a heavy tank the right look.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of Soviet heavy equipment in 1:72
• Modelers who build the whole KV series
• Builders of Eastern Front dioramas
• Moderately advanced builders, because of the small running gear

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