pcsguy88

Just some pics of my new KV-1. I have a long way to go.

pcsguy88

I wrote up a funny story for my forum, hence Red Star and the Panzer III being in the pics. I'll get some better ones once I get the Nikon back and don't have to shoot with my phone. Both of the tanks are riding on Asiatam hulls.

The story for those who need to know more:

http://forums.fighting118th.com/show...&postcount=687

SNOWTANK

That looks like one proud Russian Commander!

mizuinu

I maybe wrong but is that a GI JOE action figure? I kind of recall a character with a similar name? And yes, that is one proud TC!

pcomm1

Cool story, nicely creative and darkly fun. [8D]

RSEA

Right on Comrade! I see you've got the later style road wheels on it too. Please provide some info on how well it runs with that Asiatam lower hull and wheels.

The photos are cool, it's kind of like comparing a motorcycle to a moped. Russian tankers are such bad ass Mo-Fo's lol [8D]

pcsguy88

Red Star is so badass, he carries a man purse.

Yes, he is a GI Joe. Found him a TRU this weekend and grabbed him since Russians are a bit rare. I guess Indiana Jones is a source for Russians, but they have not been around for awhile. I'll have to check the discount stores for them. A friend is molding a russian tanker helmet for Red, so all should be good. Don't tell him he is going to lose his legs soon.

The KV-1 and Panzer III are very different beasts. One is a Ferrari, the other is a dumptruck. Hopefully my 3:1 gears arrive soon so I can get the metal sprockets and tracks on. At 10lbs, that PIII really flies around, jumps and corners like a champ. The KV-1 can barely run in a circle inside my 2 car garage.

mizuinu

I recall there are at least 2 Russian GI JOE characters. Used to be my toys back then 10 years ago. Are they the right scale for the 1 16 tanks? I saw one that kinda Looks like Patton in his uniform[8D]

edoubleaz

My Feedback: (1)

Where are the Oktober Guard figures? Col Brekhov, Schrage, Sturmovik, Horror Show, and Diana were done at one time or another.

pcsguy88

I only use the new Joes because the sculpting is amazing. They are a tad small at 1:18 scale, but it makes the tanks look all the more intimidating. Red Star's backpack has Oktober written across the back and I think it would be funny to write that on the side of the turret. Not many would get the reference. Hell, I played with Joes all thru the 80's and had no clue who the Oktober Guard were before getting Red Star. He came with a comic that has a fat guy and a skinny lady, she must be Diana.

pcsguy88

Got the Nikon back and took some decent pics. I installed the metal sprockets and tracks, hull machine gun with fiber, tow cables, fabricated hatch handles and am working on a functional driver's viewport. Still waiting on more parts from England.

RSEA

Best photos I've seen to date of those Asiatam late wheels. Looking good. Though, I did notice they cast in raised "ON / OFF" text on the rear lower hull on either side of the power switch. Wonder if the real tank had that on it? [sm=72_72.gif]

pcsguy88

I'm just happy they put a place for the switch this time. The PIII hull had no fixed location, so I placed it under the plastic tail in basically the same location as the KV-1. It's not frequent that you can actually see the KV's switch since it's under that metal plow looking piece.

I actually wanted the old style wheels and didn't notice they where the late style until you pointed it out a few days back. I would have never ordered them, but I don't mind them at all in person. Things happen for a reason.

pcsguy88

That mud scraper thingy that goes inside the sprocket makes life difficult. I have always taken the tracks off by removing the rear sprocket and that piece makes it impossible to remove the sprocket without removing the gearboxes! [X(]

RSEA

At least now you know you have different wheels on your KV than most everybody else who has one. So you can now say it is unique.

Speaking of "things happening for a reason", I am trying to figure out what the reason is for what has happened to my tank this weekend. Or I should say what was going to be my tank.. It appears to be MIA, but we shall see..

pcsguy88

I don't like the sound of another MIA tank. Way too many of those on this board lately.

pcsguy88

So the quickest way to disable a KV would be to drive it in the snow. I made it about 20ft total thru 1" snow before it wouldn't move. Guess that mudscraper thing is more of a problem than a solution.

Flyn Chris

Might fine looking KV you have there Comrade;
Before heading out for a winter offensive, it would be wise to leave it outside for an hour before driving to get everything to ambient temperature to keep the snow from melting and then refreezing in the tracks.

pcsguy88

Interesting advice Flyn Chris. My Bulldog occasionally had the snow pack up and lift the treads off the sprockets in winters past, but the KV was only driven around the deck once for a photo op before being disabled. Will certainly be removing a link from the treads to tighten things up before I try that again.

The snow did clean most of the crushed grass off the wheels. This thing really chews up the lawn.

Panther F

That and your metal wheels are playing a part in it too. It wouldn't be so bad if the wheels were plastic.


- Jeff

RSEA

The Army Ordnance Department out here in Arizona is happy to say they have recovered the missing tank! Yeay!!

The tank had been mislocated within the Transport Depot (Post Office), by a woman. Said woman was the Carrier who attempted to deliver the package on Saturday.

I had to go over to the Post Office, in person, early this morning. I approached the desk like General George S. Patton, and demanded to speak to the manager! Again after more failed attempts to find the package, the manager found the Carrier (at my request of interrogating her) and she then led us to the package which she had mislocated within the offfice. She was the only person that apparently knew where it was, because she had placed it in an incorrect holding area.

Mystery solved, DAK can no longer breath a sigh of relief! They will have to deal with me in January after all..

pcsguy88

Great news. May I ask what tank it is?

I finally figured out exactly how the tensioners work (hadn't really focused on the driving side of things yet and must say they are counter-intuitive) and got the tracks fine tuned. I can now say the KV performs much better and now turns tight circles. Can't wait to run it outdoors again.

Flyn Chris

That is great news Comrade, I have the feeling another Heavy tank will soon be fighting for the motherland.

RSEA

Pcsguy - I would normally freely reveal the tank's identity on the forum here, if I were not planning on making it a surprise for my local club. After all, I think they need some sort of Holiday surprise, as most if not all of the other new vehicles that will be making an appearance have already had their identities announced. In addition, it keeps my opponents confused and guessing as to what they will be up against..

Flyn - Yes, this new member of the DAK club is a HEAVY tank and it will NOT be green in color. The rest of the details are a military secret until our Jan battle..

After January 9th, I will post plenty of photos of the tank on the forum.

pcsguy88

Getting closer to completion: