Where the KV-1 lacked was in battlefield mobility. Engineers were key to upgrade all facets of the KV-1 during its evolution, however, they neglected to increase its engine output. This made for a slow and plodding KV-1 devoid of agility and limited in a tactical sense. Considering the wide open plains of the Russian frontier, cross-country mobility was at a premium and the KV-1 disappointed in this area.
The initial KV-1 production models (141 examples produced) eventually gave way to the KV-1A variant of 1940. Original models fitted the short-barreled 76.2mm main gun whilst the KV-1A was completed with the longer 76.2mm F-32 L/41 series and the gun mantlet was now either bolted or welded onto the turret. Operating weight was 46 tons with armor thickness ranging from 37mm to 78mm. The variant was powered by a V-2K series V12 diesel-fueled, water-cooled engine of 550 horsepower to help it reach rather optimistic speeds of 22 miles per hour with a 140 mile range. The vehicle stored 111 x 76.2mm projectiles as well as 3,024 x 7.62mm rounds of machine gun ammunition.
The KV-1A was then superseded along Soviet production lines in 1941 by the KV-1B which added applique armor to a now-cast turret (over armor plates of earlier marks) for improved crew protection. Additionally, some were finished with additional armor along the hull sides and welded armor plating along the critical frontal hull facings, increasing protection by as much as 100mm in thickness. Of course this additional weight worked against engine performance which directly dictated limitations in overall road speeds, cross-country speeds, power-to-weight ratio and engine life. These vehicles weighed in at over 52 tons, sported the standard operating crew of five and were powered by a V-2K V12 diesel fueled, water-cooled engine of 600 horsepower. Top speed was 19 miles per hour (12 miles per hour cross country) with a 155 mile road range. Armament was 1x F-34 L/41 series main gun with 3 x 7.62mm DT machine guns (bow, coaxial and turret rear).
In 1942, the KV-1C was unveiled with armor up to as much as 130mm in thickness. This time, engineers addressed powerplant issues and added a 600 horsepower engine while the hull sat upon a wider track set for improved weight displacement and control. A limited number of KV-1C models were stripped of their added applique armor to help increase their speeds, resulting in the little known designation of KV-1(s) to indicate the jump in "speed". 1,370 S-models were produced.
While a true heavy tank, the ever-changing face of war dictated an improvement in the KV-1's primary armament. An attempt was made to fit a 107mm main gun (and actively trialed) into the design but this endeavor ultimately fell to naught, resulting in simply lengthening the 76.2mm gun barrel.
The KV-1 design culminated in the arrival of the KV-85, a revised interim heavy tank form that mated the KV-1 structure to a more potent 85mm DT-5 main gun (based on an anti-aircraft cannon) in a T-34/IS-1 style cast turret. The bow-mounted machine gun was removed. KV-85s were delivered beginning in 1943 and existing KV-1 tanks were upgraded to this new standard for KV-85 tanks were more or less based on the KV-1C production mark - making the two systems highly interchangeable in terms of engines and running gear. However, the arrival of the T-34/85 nixed the KV-85 legacy for it mounted the same 85mm main gun. The KV-85 weighed in at 45 tons, was powered by a V-2K diesel engine of 600 horsepower and made 21 miles per hour out to 93 miles.
Within time, the KV-1's usefulness had reach its zenith for the T-34 was available in countless numbers and further backed by the improved IS-1 and excellent IS-2 "Josef Stalin" heavy tanks with their stout armor and 122mm main guns. A "KV-13" actually served as the prototype for a redesigned KV tank initiative which directly led to the development of the IS-2. German tank frontline tank offerings included the aforementioned Panther and Tiger I series which proved impervious to the 76.2mm Soviet gun at most frontal angles. The time of the KV-1 has officially come and gone.
The KV-1 chassis was used as a flamethrowing platform as the KV-8. This mated the KV-1 hull with an ATO-41 series flamethrower in the turret as well as a 45mm M1932 gun and some 42 examples of this tank variant were produced. The KV-8S was similar in scope yet fitted the ATO-41 flamethrower in the coaxial machine gun position. A KV-1 prototype - designated as the "KV-14" - fitted the Soviet 152mm field gun onto a fixed superstructure, leading to the development of the SU-152 self-propelled gun system.
The KV-2 was developed in conjunction with the KV-1 and thusly utilized the same hull and running gear but instead mounted a 155mm howitzer in a boxy, slab-sided turret emplacement. This form was used more as a mobile field gun for artillery fire support than a true tank killing machine, meant to work in conjunction with the KV-1. The German Army eventually captured the KV-2 assembly lines and production of the type was never resumed. The KV-2 proved more limiting in its tactical usefulness for its turret was large and heavy, presenting a most ponderous target to enemy guns. Therefore, the KV-1 and KV-2 were decidedly different tank systems within the Red army inventory and is detailed elsewhere on this site.
Captured KV-1 tanks were placed back into service by the Germans under German military designations. This included the Panzerkampfwagen KV-IA 753(r) and Panzerkampfwagen KV-IB 755(r) denoting various marks and their "Russian" origins.
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