Military Modelling - July 2013

AFV12had set, I used my hands to carefully apply pressurein opposing directions along the length of thetrackguards, one section at a time, to representbattle damage. The amount of damage to thetrackguards is appropriate for a tank with such ashort service life.Photos 1 & 2. The Trumpeter KV-2 kit isstraightforward to build. The tracks are very welldetailed and supplied ‘link & length’. To avoid anyfurther difficulties later on in the construction of themodel, the tracks were assembled and dry-fitted tothe model.3Photo 3. While the cement was still drying thetracks were placed onto the running gear. To makea complete circuit, both ends of the track weresecured with wire. I have encountered problemsin the past with both plastic independent links andlink & length tracks. As the solvent dries the plasticcontracts, making the tracks slightly short for aperfect fit. Wiring the tracks into position preventsthe problem.Photo 4. Although almost impossible to see, thereare a number of ejector pin marks on the undersideof the trackguards. I filled them with super glue andtalcum powder. The paste soon sets and the fillercan be rubbed smooth with emery paper.4Photo 5. The top of the trackguards have some sinkmarks, caused when the hot sprue is removed fromthe injection-moulding machine. A slurry of Revell Puttyand liquid polystyrene cement was used as a filler.Photo 6. Located on the rear engine deck are aseries of tie downs. The rings are made from finecopper wire that I found littering the pavementaround telephone junction boxes. The wire was518Military Modelling Vol.43 No.7 2013