KV-1S
In service 1942 - 1944
Based onKV-1 (variant of)
The KV-1 with armour cut back and a new transmission to make it actually mobile - the stopgap that led to the IS series.
Built byChelyabinsk Kirov Plant
Development history
By 1942 the KV-1 was too heavy for its drivetrain and too slow to keep up with T-34 units, so Chelyabinsk produced the KV-1S (skorostnoy, fast): thinner armour, a lighter cast turret with a commander cupola, and a properly engineered gearbox and clutches. It was reliable and manoeuvrable for its size but no better protected than a T-34 while costing far more, which is why the 85 mm KV-85 and then the IS-1 replaced it within a year. Around 1,370 were built.
Variants
One canonical record, 2 recorded variants.
KV-1S model 1942
1942Lighter cast turret with commander cupola and a new gearbox and clutches.
KV-8S
1942Flamethrower version with the ATO-41 projector and a 45 mm gun in a 76 mm sleeve.
Related vehicles
Separate records that derive from this vehicle, grouped by how they relate to it.
Derived from this vehicle
Notable actions
- Stalingrad
- Battle of Kursk
- Leningrad relief operations