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KV-1
Vol.1 - basic set
ABER 1:35 Set #35 190
Review by Terry Ashley

TrumpeterTrumpeterTrumpeterTrumpeterTrumpeter

Following the update sets for the old Tamiya KV1/2 kits released a while back ABER have now released similar update/details sets of the excellent Trumpeter range of KV kits and this set can be used on any of these kits as most details are common to all.

I don’t usually comment on a products packaging as it’s basically irrelevant except where it affects the contents and this unfortunately is the cast with this set which has the 4mm thick metal rod in a thin plastic bag with the etched parts and has resulted in some damage, most notably to the mesh screens.

Any damage should be able to be repaired by burnishing on a flat surface such as a cutting board with the flat end of a craft knife but an alternate method of packaging this type of content could be of benefit.

The set has two frets that are finely etched in the usual ABER style with well defined details and engraved bend lines where applicable plus the metal rod mentioned above and two small brass turret side pistol port plugs.

The main items in the sets are the engine intake screens which are made up of eight parts each with the lower frame and inner bracket supports as separate parts and the outer mesh covering. The lower frame has to be bent to form an outer U shape into which is fitted the three cross supports and you will need to use some form of bending tool as the two bends that make up the U shape are extremely fine. The mesh will have to be curved to fit over the inner frame supports but the end result will look very impressive and there are also the two styles of intakes provided in keeping with the kit intakes.

Below are progress images of the screens, the side bends in the U shape will require care and due to the very small bends involved with the frame none of the available bending tools would handle the job alone. I firstly bent the outer edges and then used a small strip of etched fret frame to slip under the bends and burnished the upper section down to form the U shape.
The inner brackets are then attached and the mesh which had the slight curve added before hand and after attaching the mesh the 26 small bolts heads were added to the frame using cyanoacrylate, I actually added these after attaching the assembled intakes to the kit engine deck for easier handling.

Assembly sequences as above
ABERABERABER
Assembled screens added to kit engine deck
ABER

The mesh screen and exhaust deflectors under the rear hull overhang are also provided and some careful bending will be required here also.

The hull and turret hatches have the inner latch mechanism replaced with about twelve very small etched parts much the same as with the hatch mechanisms included in set #35 143 for the Tamiya KV-1 kits with the only difference being you have to remove the inner moulded on latch detail from the Trumpeter hatches before replacing with the etched latches. This will need extreme care due to the raised lip around the kit hatches and you also have the leave the moulded on hatch hinges making the trimming even trickier.

The hatch surrounds on the turret top hatch and forward hull crew hatch are also provided and again you have to trim off the plastic detail before adding the etched parts.

The two turret side pistol port plugs are provided in turned brass and come complete with the inside supports and fine chain to use if you show the plugs out of the ports. You will need to drill out the pistol ports to fit the brass plugs but again the added detail looks very good.

Other details included the latches and mounting brackets for the fender storage boxes and small mounting brackets for the head light and horn at the front and rear exhaust brackets as well as a very intricate multi-part assembly for the cross saw and its mounting on the front left fender.

The metal rod provided has etched mounting brackets provide and is fitted to the front right fender.

A simple two page instruction sheet is provided with exploded view drawings of the assemblies and even the most complicated are quite clear to follow but as with any set of this type careful study of the parts and instructions beforehand will be of benefit.

Conclusion:
This is not an overly extensive detail set like some others we have seen due to the quality of the Trumpeter KV kits to begin with and only the most obvious detail updates such as the intakes, screens and very small brackets are provided to nicely finish off any of the Trumpeter kits.

Some of the sub-assemblies are quite intricate and will require care during assembly with experience using etched parts a distinct advantage with this set but the effort will be worth it for the added details.

Highly recommended.

Etched parts
Note; Minor damage smoothed out as noted above

ABER

Thanks to ABER for the sample set.
AirconnectionAir Connection carry the full range of ABER update and barrels sets.



Page Created May 10, 2006
Updated May 12, 2006

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