Pz.Kpfw.754(r) &

KV-T
Armoured Tow Tractor

PST

PST's 1/72 scale KV family kits are available online at Squadron.com

Reviewed by Brett Green

PST's latest variations on the theme of 1/72 scale KV tanks are the German-captured version of the KV-2 and the Soviet tow tractor, the KV-T.

As noted in my review of two other variants during 2001, each small somewhat flimsy box is packed full of parts for the tank itself, plus an additional sprue with 58 “link and length” sections of track. The sprues are presented in a piebald combination of greys (no paint required?), and the production quality is impressive. There is virtually no flash, and no evidence of sink marks or ejector pins on the facing surfaces of any of the parts – even the track links!

The main parts are also impressive. The upper hull is a single piece. Detail is crisp and restrained. The moulded mesh on the rear deck looks great, and the trackguard supports are appropriately fine. The turret features a very subtle cast texture, and other minor details are equally well rendered. PST has even represented weld beads on parts including the turret sides.

Roadwheels and idler wheels look terrific, but the bolt detail on the drive sprocket is somewhat overscale, and the rims of the return rollers are slightly lop-sided. The jerry cans are also missing their handles.

The construction sequence is typical of Eastern European kits. The lower hull is multi-part; made up of the floor, sides (with moulded-on suspension arms and axles) and a separate back plate. Construction is otherwise similar to any other small scale or large scale armour model.

The Pz.Kpfw.754 includes a new sprue for the turret of the KV-2.

The German-style cupola comprises a few parts on a different sprue that contains almost all the parts required to build a KV-1 turret. This makes this boxing great value. The choice can be made between a Pz 753 (KV-1 turret), Pz. 754 (KV-2 turret) or either a Soviet KV-1 or KV-2.

There is no such bonus in the KV-T kit, but the retail price is USD$2.00 cheaper. The parts specific to the tow tractor include the hull cover for the turret hole, a few boxes and extra fuel drum mounts.

These parts are moulded in a peculiar, semi-transparent plastic.

Track links are the classic good news and bad news. The good news is that the links and lengths are detailed on both sides, and have absolutely no evidence of ejector pin or sink marks. This is truly amazing – especially in this scale. The bad news is that the pattern of the track shoes does not look anything like that of the KV series. The links are better than the lengths, but they will probably all look better under a thick coat of Russian mud! This problem is most likely a result of moulding limitations rather than poor research.

The top track run is supplied as a single length. This will be pleasing for modellers who do not like individual track links, but will make it more complicated to achieve the characteristically heavy track “sag” typical of KV-1 and its variants. We can only hope that there are a few extra individual links to make up the difference if the modeller chooses to bend the styrene upper track run into a sagged shape.

The instructions are quite adequate. Construction is called out over 11 steps. Painting instructions are also supplied.

These are very nice additions to the PST range. As noted in earlier reviews, all these kits demonstrate good detail for this small size. My minor criticisms are probably all the result of moulding limitations in this scale.

Both of these kits should build up into impressively detailed and accurate models for display or wargames.

Recommended.

Thanks to Squadron for the review samples.