best KV-1 model?

I haven't heard many good things about either kit.
The Tamiya offering is ancient and leaves a lot to be desired. However, the Eastern Express kit is not much better, albeit some.
Also, the Tamiya kit does not have the cast surface texture on the turret, and this is something that I've found difficult to model.
I am debating picking up another Tamiya KV-1B myself, but am not too certain yet.

Good luck on your build.

eastern expresss it is then, seems to alot better than the tamiya one. i am looking for a very detailed kv-1 so the tamiya one wont work i guess, and i will be getting some of those plastic tracks for it though.

thanks everyone

Right now the Tamiya KV-1 kit #35066 is on sale at greatmodels for $13.80 it might be worth getting at that price and get some photo-etch parts and other miscellaneous stuff.

I also built the ancient Tamiya offering when I was many moons younger. Haven't heard too many good things about Eastern Express. I'm hoping that Trumpeter has improved on their quality control since I last touched their Abrams kit. It had nice detail, but the fit and oversized pieces left alot to be desired. Kit price might be priendly also. I thought it would be coming out now.

I built Eastern Express' KV 85 and it was not very good. The fit was fair to poor and the tracks, which seem to be a topic all their own, were the worst part of the kit. They were way too long and seemed almost toy like. However, if you want a KV 85 in 1/35 this one did build up into an impressive green machine in the end. I don't have a problem with Tamiya's KV's as long as you keep in mind how old they are. AM tracks will be in order in either case.

Hello !
I would go with the newer kits , Tamiya's KV's are old and need work . The hull has gaps , for when it was " motorized , that have to be filled, and the support brackets , on the fenders , should be replaced.The tracks are awful. I built a Tamiya KV , and I replaced the tracks , with some from Model Kasten.
Frank
"PERSEVERANCE"

For a review of the Eastern Express one see:
http://misc.kitreview.com/armourreviews/kv1model1941reviewcs_1.htm

I would probably go their 1941 kit rather than Tamiya's ancient offering of the 1940 version.

I built the Tamiya KV-1b ten years ago. It was apparently base on their earlier motorized KV-1kit with extra armour plate on it and the tank figure is the same. The quality of it was fair. But don't expect too many detail parts. I found the tracks quality to be below today standards. Fitting was ok though. I don't know much about the Eastern Express one. But I've heard Trumpeter is going to release both KV-1 and KV-2 in the future. Given the fine quality of latest Trumpeter, I have high hopes on them.