Trumpeter 00360

Upgrades: San Xin Metal KV tracks, Aber barrel, Aber PE grilles. 

This kit has a much lower part count compared to the last couple kits built (RFM Pz.III, HobbyBoss Pz.IV). A refreshing change. 🙂 

This KV-1 is the 1942 lightweight cast turret version. My first go at cast texturing. Used Tamiya Basic putty thinned with acetone. Pretty straightforward. 

Two ejector marks per link.. no thank you. 

Used XF-69 base coat and XF-1 highlights again. 

San Xin metal tracks with metal pins. Very easy to use. The only cleanup required were on a few links. Looked like cast injection marks on a few guide horns (about half a dozen in this set). Track pin holes were clear on all links and needed no drilling!  

AK burnishing fluid brushed on the assembled tracks. The effect was instant and quite even.
Tracks were washed & thoroughly dried prior. Note the brass track pins. 

AK enamel washes..
 

I initially painted the wear on the road wheels silver but for this build I tried buffing them with dark steel pigments.  

The KV deserves metal tracks. Nice natural sag.
Colour is 1:1 of Tamiya XF-4 Yellow Green, XF-58 Olive Green  

Experimented with oil dot technique for colour modulation and weathering. My photography skills does not show it well. 

Exhaust tips were hollowed out & thinned.
Spare track link brackets scratch built. 

The KV is only lightly weathered but my photography skills doesn't really capture it. It's weathered more than it looks. 🤔 

The grilles turned out well. I'm happy with my first attempt at soldering PE.