Review
1/72nd scale armour is not really an area I work on, but this offering of a KV-2 in 1/72nd scale which is packaged in the usual manner manages to catch my eye. An examination of the mouldings reveals no obvious issues beyond the usual ejector pin marks that I believe are hidden and flow marks in some mouldings which have not deformed the part.
The hull of the model brings 5 flat panels together that has enabled Zvezda to provide a high level of moulded on detail. Construction methodology provided you clean up all of these 5 parts in advance will enable construction to be true. The suspension arms are provided as separate items, which I was initially thinking would allows the suspension to be articulated but this was quickly dispelled as the tracks are link and length. Looking over the details specifically of the tracks and wheels I am very impressed with the level of moulded detail. The track sag on the KV tanks is usually very apparent, and a small amount of track sag has been moulded into the top track run giving you a realistic finish.
Moving to the upper hull, and again Zvezda has not skimped on detail with a very pleasing look to the engine deck and the track guards and tool boxes look to be very pleasing, but the triangular frames the support the track guard to the hull of the vehicle are a little thick, and so depending on how you wish to tackle this you may be happy to use them as is, thin them down via some aggressive sanding or replace them in time with aftermarket parts. As an afterthought, you could also use them as a template for creating your own in thin plastic or metal. All told the hull of the model when complete should meet with you requirements.
The main gun on this release, has the recessed lines around the barrel. I have however, been recently informed that while these are indeed present they would not normally be seen. The turret itself is again made up of separate panels meaning you need to think about your assembly, but if you work from the base and rear I believe assembly will go well. As a point of interest the main gun has been given a rudimentary breech should you wish to have the turret open in some way, and allows you to see something if you have the top hatch open - which is possibly. The defensive machine guns meet my expectations for this scale, and I am very pleased with the detail that has been incorporated into the tow cables and the retainers of these items. The decals are loose in the box, but no harm has come to them. The carrier film is not excessive, the colour is well defined and can only just be detected when running you finger over them. Two finishing options have been provided:
KV-2 of the 27th Tank Regiment of the 14th Tank Division of the 7th Mehkorps of the Red Army, Western front, Summer 1941
KV-2 from the 1st Tank Battalion of the 222nd Tank Brigade of the Red Army, Leningrad Front, Krasny Bor Area, February-March 1943
Looking over the model as a whole I believe that it will please greatly modellers who are a fan of this scale and while it represents a vehicle that had limited success, it did make an excellent road block that was exceptionally hard to destroy, and was more likely to run out of ammunition.