Do you hate the HL signature lights Like I do?

Did you invest in the Tamiya KV-1 headlight lens cover, only to find out the Tamiya head lamp is smaller in diameter than the HL's KV-1 headlight?

Don't want to shell out extra money for the Tamiya sprue that has the headlight just to make use of the lens cover that didn't fit HL's?

Tired of waiting for after marketmanufacturesto make the single most important upgrade for the HL KV-1?

^^^ Are you puzzled why they haven't yet?^^^ lol

Well look no further my friends!

Pick yourself up this little kit and there you have it!
<a href="http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&amp;I=LXYWV9">http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&amp;I=LXYWV9


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I got this in last week for my Leopard, hoping the rectangular lights would work should I convert it to the Leopard EX or Danish version. It'll take a bit of work to make it appropriate, but should do just fine. Anyway, there at least is a secondary use for it since it can be used for the KV-1 too!
They also make them in chrome. That probably would work better than the black ones I linked to, since you won't have to paint the inside silver and would be by far more reflective.

Here's some photos of it temporarily attached.

The one with the guard over the headlights was just for HA, HA's!
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Very nice Tony.
On the subject of lenses, do you have any ideas to get headlight and taillight lenses for the Mato sherman?

What were you in life before you became a tank builder, Tony? A salesman? Good job - I'm definately going to buy some of these!

LOL! Glad you'll find use for it! Like I said previously, the chrome ones would be better, provided there isn't a drastic price difference. At any event, still comes out a lot cheaper than buying Tamiyaala cartejust for head lights.

Joe, I don't have the Mato Sherman, so I can't be totally sure, especially since the Mato is supposedly scaled differently??? . But thesprue'sin this kit may work, as long as you're willing to deal with the circular pattern in the lens that's more common in tail lights instead of the cross hatch lines....but they'lldefiantlywork for the KV-1(but the horizontal bar that goes across the tail light will need to be made) and likely the HL Pershing too as well as it's tail lights. If I remember correctly, the Sherman and Pershing both share the same kind of head lights and tail lights....I think.

Here's a photo of the smallest lens in the kit up against my Tamiya Pershing and HL KV-1.

Also I must add, as you can see in the close up of the lenses. They're a bit hazy and not totally crystal clear....kind of like they're already aged. They aren't made using the same materials commonly made for headlights, they're some sort of translucent high impact plastic.....so if all nothing else, if you damage your tank in a crash...well, atleast you know the headlight will make it. lol<br type="_moz" />

I just got done ordering a set of the chrome ones. (Well, I had to backorder them since the chrome ones aren't in stock right now). $22.00 for a set plus $4.99 shipping. And, one set is enough for two headlights. Thanks again, Tony. -Mike

he tony did you know that the upperbody of the HL KV1 have a structural big mistake, i don't know what exactly is wrong on it ask it to rivetcounter he have mention it at the clubhouse, the tamiya one is the only good one

tamiya have a spreu for the sherman M4A4 i geuss they are the same foir yours, we got the matorro KT in the club and its excact the same lenght, hight etc from the tamiya one so i suppose the sherman will in scale too

Yellowshaker,
Have you tried Karen at AAF ? That's were I bought the Tamiya parts sprue for my PZ IV's turret schurzen. She may be able to provide the Tamiya parts? Just a thought.

Jim

I think HL did a fairly good job making this accurate. I haven't takencalipersto it to try and scale things, but I wouldn't doubt some of the scaling is off. But compared to the 14 KV-1 books I have....looks pretty damn close. Maybe Rivet could enlighten us? There are some obvious things wrong, like smoke coming out of the convoy light, antennae coming out of the rear, over sized headlight, wrong era stowage boxes, but these are all minute.

Tony,

Absolutely fabulous. I've been digging into the HL KV-1 headlights recently as well based on info from Buckeye36 on his Finnish KV-1 build. I was going down the path of the Tamiya parts, but I like your idea better.
In my opinion the HLKV-1 looks great as is (except for some small metal part enhancements) but that fugly headlight has just gotta go.

Frank

Yeah Frank, I meant to post this last week and totally forgot about it during my Leo build, then read Buckeyes thread where you wereinquiringthe lights which reminded me last night.<div></div><div>I agree, that's been my biggest gripe about the KV-1 and the lack of an upgrade part for it. I would still anticipated doing some modifications to this light housing to round it off a bit at thebottomand rear, but overall this can be widely used for various things I think. They even come with yellow light covers too....add a little burnt umber to it, to give it a dirty feature and it could be used as an extreme weathered lens.</div>

i don't see it either i was busy on my panther in the club, haven't geart what is wrong but anyway i think every good modeller can get it right h&eacute; tony

i go send a email to rivetcounter want to know what's the problem on the KV1