Tamiya 1/35 KV-85 Build Review

By Jack Bruno

Construction

Back in the day when all armor modelers had nothing but resin aftermarket additions for then current projects, M&B Models hit with a KV-85 tank to be used with a Tamiya KV-1 kit. This vehicle was likely the prototype between the KV and JS series because of the distinct similarities of the turret, minus the 122mm gun of the JS type. In the resin kit, you are supplied with a turret, 85mm gun barrel, new hull to fit the Tamiya chassis and other stuff. Minor sanding was needed to bring it up to par and a good going over with a glass to find any bubbles. pits or flaws. I was ready to go.

Assembly could not have been any easier with simple part substitution as the only requirement. Tamiya plastic parts were needed throughout. Before I delve any deeper into the kit, I must give you a "Golden Age of Modeling Timeframe" here. The world had not seen the likes of Eduard, Kasten or Fruil yet. Dragon was a year away with the Scud, let alone the JS-II. So, all we had was the Tamiya KV tracks with the detail on the outside only. However, having seen the recent Trumpeter KV series up close, I picked up a pair of Flex Track from fellow modeler, Ron Thorne, who built his KV with the plastic link and sag track. My world is now complete as I was able to have detail on my tracks and not feel shame.

With the kit fully assembled it was yearning and begging me for a winter setting. Being the man that I am, I fully complied to the Muse of Modeling. I sprayed the entire kit Tamiya Flat Black and gave a few progressive lighter shades of green, starting with Tamiya Japanese Army Green, which is a very good Soviet WWII tank color. I then hit with a few blasts of PollyScale Flat White.

After all this dried overnight, we went on to a Future gloss coat and followed up with an oil wash of dark brown. I had already collected my base and twigs and stones from the curb to be my groundwork in addition to my Celluclay. The Celluclay was allowed to dry after putting the twigs/stones on it and pressing it in to assure a good fit. After this was dry, I painted different shades of browns and really gave it a thorough soaking of brown oil wash. While the wash was still in puddles, I sprinkled baking soda onto the base and let the brown wash soak through in places. This gave me the effect of a thaw. It worked out beautifully and I'm looking forward to using it again with my Sherman 105 "Bulge" setting.

After the oil wash on the KV I streaked a tad of green to represent worn areas and paint coming through the whitewash. I did not use a flat coat because I intended a "wet look" and again it came out with better than expected results. A little pastel powder around the exhaust and gun barrel and it was placed into its setting. One thing was missing - a splash of color - so out came the Verlinden Flag Set and the Soviet Battle Flag was draped over the gun barrel.

I was very pleased with this effort and it really filled a void in the Soviet Vehicle arsenal. If you see one of these sets at a swap, grab it - you'll be pleased too.