Tamiya 35375 - 1:35 Russian Heavy Tank KV-2

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the Russian heavy tank KV-2

The KV-2 came from a simple idea: if the KV-1 already had armour immune to anti-tank fire, replacing its gun with a 152 mm howitzer would produce a vehicle able to destroy bunkers at close range. The result was the distinctive tall turret that gives the tank one of the most recognisable silhouettes of the war. Tamiya 35375 is the 2021 release — a new turret and gun mounted on the KV-1 tooling created in 2020.

The model reproduces the rifling at the muzzle of the howitzer, and the hatches can be built open. The tracks are of the link-and-length type, with longer runs on the straight sections and individual links around the curves. Two figures — a full commander figure with a map and a crewman bust — allow the model to be built as a small scene.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and equipment
• 152 mm howitzer with rifling reproduced at the muzzle
• Link-and-length tracks
• Hatches that can be built open
• Two figures: full commander figure with a map and a crewman bust
• Decal sheet for two marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35375
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: approx. 204 × 95 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (link-and-length tracks, open hatches)

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. This kit is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The build is enjoyable thanks to the excellent parts fit typical of Tamiya. The link-and-length tracks require the most patience. If you plan to leave the hatches open, the parts visible inside are easier to paint before the model is closed up. The large flat turret, meanwhile, is a rewarding canvas for shading and colour modulation.

For the Soviet option we suggest protective green 4BO (e.g. Tamiya XF-58 Olive Green); for the captured German vehicle, a white winter camouflage over the green base. The instructions give Tamiya paint codes for both schemes. Applying decals over a gloss coat helps avoid silvering, and a matt varnish makes a suitable final finish. A wash and dry-brushing bring out the weld seams and textures, while pigments reproduce mud and snow on the running gear.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – KV-2:

The KV-2 was designed in response to the Winter War against Finland, where Soviet tanks had nothing capable of dealing with the concrete bunkers of the Mannerheim Line. The answer was the 152 mm M-10T howitzer, mounted in a tall, roomy turret on the KV-1 chassis.

The 52-tonne vehicle was operated by a crew of six. The huge turret, combined with a V-2K engine of about 600 hp, made the tank slow, and traversing the turret on a slope could be nearly impossible. Only around 200 were built.

Even so, in 1941 the KV-2 could cause havoc — a single 152 mm shell could destroy a German tank even without penetrating its armour. Some captured vehicles were taken into German service; one such tank, in winter camouflage, can be modelled using the decals in this kit.

Original vehicle specifications (KV-2):

• Length: approx. 6.95 m
• Width: approx. 3.3 m
• Height: approx. 3.6 m
• Combat weight: approx. 52 t
• Crew: 6
• Main armament: 152 mm M-10T howitzer
• Engine: V-2K diesel, approx. 600 hp
• Chassis: KV-1 heavy tank
• Production: approx. 200 vehicles
• Role: destruction of fortifications

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business began in timber and wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first injection-moulded plastic kit. Two years later came the 1:35 tank that established the scale as a worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise moulds and outstanding parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles anywhere. Alongside kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.