RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

A totally cool and much anticipated kit arrived in the post today. Now my only tough decision is whether to use a Taigen \ Torro metal lower or the Tamiya KV-ll kit to bring this rare piece of Soviet armor to life. Thank you very much, Giganaut, for deciding to make this turret one of your new kit series. Everything arrived safe and sound, my friend. ;o)
Pics:

Highly recommend the Tamiya kit having just built it.

Look forward to seeing what you do.

AWESOME! i cant wait to see what you will build with that hehehehehehe

following for sure

I do like a KV 2...Looking forward to this one

Good morning, Gentlemen!
I built the Crackerbox Palace, a German capture 754(r), using a metal Taigen KV-1 and a Torro ir turret. I still remember the work that was needed strengthening the torsion bar suspension to make the tank sit evenly. It was worth it tho', the 'Palace' weighed over twenty pounds when done and is one of the best running tanks I own. Total cost of the tank was slightly north of 800.00 U.S. once everything was figured in. Tamiya's KV-2 kit is running at 750+ for the full option version so it's really down to what kind of work I want to do this time, build a kit or fix the issues with Taigen\Torro's KV-2 ( which can be had for around 469.00 U.S.). The Tamiya is really tempting because of the better electronics, speaker and being a kit. The Taigen\Torro is really tempting because of all the metal and the new smokers they come with. I don't have to decide right away because I've got a 1/6 Stuart to finish and a Tamiya Tiger 1, a Sturmtiger , a 251 and an Elefant to build as well. Choices!
regards,
Painless

That is really cool Painless!

Good morning again,
This decision is a real beard puller. I know that all sorts of metal upgrades for the Tamiya kit exist ( and not just Schumo details ) but a real risk is run in over stressing the gearbox that comes with it. As for the Torro KV-2, serious upgrades exist for the electronics that will put the cost of that tank up alongside the Tamiya kit. That can be considered a Pro because all of the metal upgrades are there and the tank is strong enough to bear the weight and run excellently once the suspension is sorted out. I am currently leaning towards the Tamiya kit because I've already had the fun of converting a Taigen\Torro yet there is something to be said in already having figured things out and having a clear path to another great heavy metal build.
regards,
Painless

There isn't that much for a tamiya KV to upgrade, gearbox brace, idler brace and tracks I think.

I went for the idler brace as heard rumours about the front twisting.

Take a look at my build as its well documented with photos.

Ad Lav,
I've been following your excellent build and can see how the KV series builds into a crisp version of the tank. I would go for the idler brace as well but not the tracks unless I installed the gearbox brace and braced the lower hull a bit. I know that the metal tracks are excellent ( and pricey ) and I would use them as long as I didn't damage the gearboxes. Tamiyas' regular tracks that come with the kit are highly rated as well.
regards,
Painless