If, by a few years back, you mean the 1970s, yes they did. They did do a 1/16 R/C kit a few years ago. This new kit is a different version though of both the 70s kit and the R/C version.

Looking forward to this. Tamiya's KV-1 was one of my first tanks. I'll buy it for that, and for the Tamiya quality and buildability. Thanks, Tamiya.

The KV-1C was my first Soviet tank. I'll have to get one and see if it is as tough as the old kit. Pellets from my old air gun bounced off the hull it was so tough.

The Trumpeter series of kits surpassed the old Tamiya kits in every possible way. The new kit looks far more accurate. It seems to represent this variant: KV-1 Model 1941 w/ Up-Armored Welded Turret (October 1941) This is interesting, as this variant required some cross-kitting using the Trumpeter kits. After consulting Neil Stokes' book and comparing it to other available pictures of the new kit, I'll be able to tell you more.

I've still got a couple of Dragon's KV-1 and 2 variants somewhere in the stash and wonder how these'll compare to the new Tamiya. It is a given that the Tamiya will be more enjoyable to build; I mean accuracy and detail-wise. I know that it won't, however, come cheaply.

I assume you mean Trumpeter KV-1's.These are the best kits avilable at the moment.

After consulting the Red Book: it should be the November 1941 variant, as per the appliqué armor on the hull sides. These armor plates interfered with the stowage box on the number 7 position, so the latter was moved to the number 9 position. The cruss-cut saw on number 5 should not be there, though, as it was moved to the inside of the lid of box on position 10 long before. One more for the spares box! The other features seem to match: cast two-part road wheels and the 90mm-up-armored welded turret. The latter can be identified by the chamfers and bullet-splash guard beneath the side-facing episcopes.

This link shows the version of the kit: LINK Shapeways makes the ring around the rear turret mg: LINK

Thanks Marc for the links. The "Red Book" (KV Technical History & Variants by Neil Stokes) mentions these armored collars around the rear-facing mgs, but states that it was only fitted on a few vehicles. Also, I think the information provided in the first link are nowhere near as complete as what the book provides. Yes, it is expensive.