KV-1 /KV-2 Road Wheels Set 1

Trakz
(A Division of the VLS Corporation)

Reviewed by Brett Green

Trakz has released three sets of replacement road wheels for the KV series of Soviet heavy tanks. This is Set Number 1, and it is applicable to early variants - the KV-1, KV-2 and some early KV-1B models.

Before I start, I should point out that it is almost impossible to tidily classify variants of Soviet tanks. Titles such as "KV-1B" and "KV-1C" did not originate with the Soviets - they were convenient labels applied by Western armies. The comments in the following review are therefore meant to be a suggestion about the typical use of roadwheels, not a definitive guide to the subject.

It may be unkind to classify Tamiya's 1/35 scale KV-1 kits as "sows ears", but they are pretty crude in some respects. One of the obvious areas where shortcuts were made was the roadwheels. The detail moulded onto the front of the outer roadwheels is okay, but there is no detail on the back face of these wheels. There is no detail whatever on either side of the inside set of roadwheels. Furthermore, the style of wheel supplied with the KV-1B and KV-2 kits is the earliest production version with no radial "webs" on the outer rim.

There were at least six production roadwheel types used on the Soviet KV series, and Trakz's Set No. 1 represents the second common variant. This wheel was similar to the style used on the earliest KV-1 tanks, but adds radial webs to the outside of the wheel rim. Typically, these wheels might be seen on KV-1 and KV2 tanks produced from late 1940 until 1941; and on some early production KV-1B tanks. This offers plenty of potential for modellers to use this set.

Trakz has done their research. On the real wheels, the lightening holes on the outer rim are not centred between the radial ribs, and Trakz has depicted this feature perfectly. I suspect that the dish of the outer rim may be slightly shallow, but it is hard to tell for sure.

The new resin wheels have detail cast onto both sides of the outer and the inner roadwheels - a real improvement over the Tamiya parts.

Casting quality is excellent, but care will be required when removing the casting blocks.

Trakz KV-1/KV-2 Road Wheel Set #1 will be an essential accessory for anyone building an early KV-1, KV-1B or KV-2.

Thanks to VLS for the review samples

These and other VLS products may be viewed at the VLS Website

Review Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 30 August, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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