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Soviet Union's KV-1 S (skorostnoy, "speed")¹, KV-1-S¹ heavy tank:

KV-1 S heavy tank:

Design

The KV-1 S was designed by N. F. Shashmurin.² Armor was reduced to make tank faster as a common complaint from the front was that the KV-1 wasn't manoueverable.²

The armor was made thinner and the turret made smaller.¹ A vision cupola was added to turret.²

Improvements

Transmission, cooling, and lubrication systems were improved.^1,2

The KV-1-S had a new gearbox and main clutch installed.¹

Production

• KV-1 S: 1,233, 1,370¹
  • Production: Autumn 1942 - 1943², August 1942 - late 1943¹
    • 1940: 334²
    • 1941: 1,232²
    • 1942: 130², 780¹
    • 1943: 452^1,2

Usage

Kursk

The 53rd Guards and 57th Army Heavy Tank Brigades were equipped with KV-1-Ss at Kursk and took part in the heavy fighting from July 12 - 14, 1943.¹

Berlin

It is not known for sure but there were reports of KV-1-Ss taking part in Berlin during the operations to take the city in April - May 1945.¹

	KV-1 S2, KV-1-S1
Crew	52,12
Physical Characteristics
Weight	93,670 lb, 42.5 tons2,5,6,8,12
Length w/gun	22.1'12, 22' 3", 23' 9.5" 6.75 m2, 6.95 m5
Length w/o gun
Height	8' 6", 9.8'12, 10' 6.25" 2.64 m5, 2.75 m2
Width	10.7'12, 10' 7", 11' 6.25" 3.25 m2,5
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	1' 5", 0.45 m2,5
Ground contact length	13.8'12
Ground pressure	0.74 kg/cm2 2
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	76.2 mm M1940 L/41.512 76.2 mm 1942 F-342 76.2 mm L/415
Secondary
MG	3: MG12 4: MG5
MG - coaxial	1: 7.62 mm DT MG2
MG - rear	1: 7.62 mm DT MG2
MG - hull	1: 7.62 mm DT MG2
Side arms
Quantity
Main	1002, 10212, 1145
Secondary
MG	3,0242, 3,04212, 3,0875
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	606
Hull Front, Upper	7512, 75+305, 40-752 1943: 751
Hull Front, Lower	75+30
Hull Sides, Upper	755, 602,12 1943: 601
Hull Sides, Lower	75
Hull Rear	755, 40-752 1943: 40-751
Hull Top	30-402, 3512, 405 1943: 301
Hull Bottom	30-402, 3512 1943: 301
Turret Front	30 - 8212, 90-955, 822 1943: 821
Turret Sides	1005, 822 1943: 821
Turret Rear	955, 822 1943: 821
Turret Top	305 1943: 301
Engine (Make / Model)	W-25, W-2-K2, V-2K-s12
Bore / stroke	4 stroke2
Cooling
Cylinders	1212, V-122
Capacity
Net HP	60012, 600@2,000 rpm2
Power to weight ratio	14.2 hp/ton2
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	2x4 forward5, 1 reverse5
Steering
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)	Diesel12
Octane
Quantity	615 liters2
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse	360°
Max speed	25 mph6,12, 27 mph8 38 kph5, 42-43 kph2
Cross country speed	15.5 mph
Road radius	155.3 miles, 156 miles12 200 km5, 330 km2 1943: 250 km1, 155 miles1
Cross country radius	99 miles1, 110 miles12 160 km1,5
Turning radius	31' 9.5 m5
Elevation limits
Fording depth	5' 3", 1.6 m2,5
Trench crossing	2.8 m2
Vertical obstacle	1.2 m2
Climbing ability	36°2
Suspension (Type)	Torsion bar5
Wheels each side	65
Return rollers each side
Tracks (Type)
Length
Width	2' 4"12 700 mm5
Diameter
Number of links
Pitch
Tire tread	Steel5
Track centers/tread

Sources:

1. Russian Tanks of World War II Stalin's Armored Might, by Tim Bean & Will Fowler, 2002
2. Russian Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1917-1945, by Wolfgang Fleischer, 1999
3. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
4. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
5. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
6. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
7. -
8. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
9. Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
10. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
11. The Illustrated Guide to Tanks of the World, George Forty, 2006
12. Airfix Magazine Guide 22 Russian Tanks of World War 2, John Milsom and Steve Zaloga, 1977

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