KV2

You will be disappointed with the Tamiya kit; it was from their motorization days with oversized details to survive handling and smooth inner surfaces of the tracks with just a token guide tooth. The Trumpeter kits are very good, some of their better models. Since they were designed after the fall of the wall, model manufacturers were able to visit actual vehicles and have access to Russian plans and research. One of the good things is that Trumpeter gives two types of tracks. One the traditional one piece vinyl tracks and the other are regular plastic link and length tracks with the sag molded into the top run. Since you ordered both kits, you can use the extra set on the Tamiya kit.

Thank you to everyone, I ordered both the tamiya and trumpeter so I can see the difference and if the trumpeter truly is better then I will resell the tamiya.

I've wanted to build both a KV-1 and -2. From everything I've read, Trumpeter is definitely the way to go.

The Trumpeter KV-II is probably the best out there at the moment, and cheap too!  Two things to watch for are the wonky separate muzzle (which has an off-center bore) and the nice recessed ejector pin marks on the inside faces of the link and length tracks and under the fenders.  Also, watch out for the orientation of the road wheel center inserts - they are not keyed so they can end up misaligned.  Look at the relative orientation of the bolt pattern on the outer rim and inner insert on the box art.  I didn't and all my road wheels have misaligned bolt patterns!    I think I read somewhere that the "sectioned" gun barrel should look like one piece so fill in the two recessed lines.

I replaced my gun tube with an aluminum one, but it still had the section marks.  But the wonky muzzle opening was cured and I got rifling inside the barrel.  I also went for metal wire tow cables and replaced the turret grab handles with brass wire.

HTH

Tamiya is really old. I built the Trumpeter KV I and it was a pretty simple build with link and length tracks.

Hey,

There are several: Trumpeter, Zvezda, Hobbyboss, Tamiya.

So, any of your preference, when in doubt, always...google it.