I will enter this GB with the Klimenti Voroshilov KV-2 tank "Dreadnought".
The KV-1 is a regular heavy tank and the KV-2 is variant equipped with a 152mm MT-10T assault gun/howitzer. In order to fit the huge 152mm gun a larger box-shaped turret where developed, the turret weight where 12 tons. Total height of the tank was almost 5 meters(!)
Due to its size and armored strength, it was nicknamed “Dreadnought” by its six man crews. The KV-2 first saw service in the Winter War as a prototype, as did many other vehicles. However, they were too late to test their might against the more fortified Finnish defenses, as they had already been overrun. Despite this, they still destroyed some remaining enemy bunkers and AT guns. Finnish AT guns were ill-prepared for the KV-2’s strong armor, and even reportedly stopped firing after three non-penetrations.
In the opening years of WWII, when the KV-2 operated in vast numbers, it was virtually invulnerable to direct fire from all but high velocity weapons at horrifically close-range. The best the enemy could hope to was force the KV-2’s crew to abandon the vehicle by disabling it, such as by hitting its tracks and wheels, but this did not always go to plan. A clear example of this was in June 1941, near Raseiniai. Roughly 20 KV tanks of the Soviet 3rd Mechanized Corps met the assault of the 6th Panzer Division, with approximately 100 vehicles. A single KV-2 tank managed to hold off the German advance for a full day while being pummeled by a variety of antitank weapons, until finally the KV-2 ran out of ammunition and was finally knocked out.
Having said this, the KV-2 paid a high price for its immense gun and vast armor. Its mobility between engagements and during battle was heavily restricted by many of the initial gear and transmission problems that the KV-1 faced. This situation was made even worse by the fact that the vehicle now weighed 53.8-57.9 tonnes depending on the model, as well as by using the unimproved 500 bhp V-2 diesel engine
Ok, I will build the Zvezda 1/35-scale version of the KV-2, which is the second variant of the called KV-2A, also named the KV-2 M1940, or KV-2 MT-2 turret. This model featured the more common and boxy turret, featuring a second DT machine gun in a rear mount, and an improved rear turret hatch that made resupplying ammunition easier. The armor was kept the same, but thanks to the removal of the angled turret front, it had a much roomier crew turret, meaning that working conditions were better for the crew, especially the loaders.
I will add some aftermarket parts to the kit; Friulmodel white metal tracks and a turned barrel. I might build a diorama if the build progresses smoothly and I feel that I have time to complete it before the GB ends. In that case I might add some ammunition and figures from Miniart as well.
I would love to have a dio for this behemoth of a tank!
The boxart:
20151230_161504 by Tommy Killander, on FlickrTurret and gun sprue:
20151230_161800 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr
20151230_161829 by Tommy Killander, on FlickrTank Hull sprues:
20151230_162132 by Tommy Killander, on FlickrMisc stuff, decals, nylon wire and clear parts:
20151230_162415 by Tommy Killander, on FlickrRoadwheels and tracks:
20151230_162559 by Tommy Killander, on FlickrInstruction Manual:
20151230_162704 by Tommy Killander, on FlickrThe details seems quite good and after watching a couple of build-reviews it seems that the build goes together quite easy. The Instruction Manual is a bit unclear in some cases, but - "Hey, who reads instructions anyway ?!"
The Friulmodel tracks also includes metal sprocket-wheels, which will give the model some more detail.
Can't wait to get this started....
Cheers!
Tommy
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