KV-13
KV-13 | |
---|---|
Type | Medium tank |
Place of origin | Soviet Union |
Service history | |
Used by | Soviet Union |
Wars | World War II |
Production history | |
Designer | SKB-2 |
Designed | 1941–1942 |
Manufacturer | Chelyabinsk Kirov Plant |
Produced | 1942–1943 |
Number built | 3 |
Specifications ([1]) | |
Weight | 32 metric tons |
Length | 6.65 |
Width | 2.8 m (9.2 ft) |
Height | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
Crew | 3 |
| |
Armor | 120 mm maximum |
Main armament | 76 mm ZIS-5 tank gun |
Secondary armament | 1 × 7,62-mm DT-29 MG |
Engine |
V12, liquid-cooled diesel engine 600 hp (441 kW) |
Transmission | mechanical |
Suspension | Torsion bar suspension |
Ground clearance | 450 mm |
Operational range | 320 km (200 miles) |
Speed | 65 km/h (40 mph) |
The KV-13 was an experimental Soviet medium tank created during World War II.[1][2] It was developed on the KV-1 chassis in the SKB-2 design bureau of the Chelyabinsk Kirov Plant in late 1941 – early 1942, as a "universal" tank, intended to replace the production of T-34 medium tanks and KV-1 heavy tanks at the same time.[3]
Development
The first prototype of the KV-13 was made in the spring of 1942, but in the fall of that year tests showed a lack of mechanical reliability and demonstrated the need to strengthen the vehicle's armour and to equip it with the new three-seat turret.[1][2] While production of two modified prototypes incorporating these modifications began in December 1942, work on the KV-13 as a medium tank was discontinued in favour of continuing the production of the T-34. The further development of the project using two modified KV-13 prototypes led to the creation in 1943 of the IS-1 heavy tank.[3][4]
References
Citations
Bibliography
- А. Г. Солянкин; М. В. Павлов; И. В. Павлов; И. Г. Желтов (2005). Отечественные бронированные машины. XX век. 1941–1945. Москва: Эксприн. ISBN 5-94038-074-3.
- Свирин, М. Н.; Броневой щит Сталина. MИстория советского танка 1937–1943. Мoscow: Яуза, Эксмо. ISBN 5-699-16243-7.
- Zaloga, Steven J. (2011). IS-2 Heavy Tank 1944–1973. New Vanguard. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-396-4.
- Zaloga, Steven J. (2013). KV-1 & 2 Heavy Tanks 1939–1945. New Vanguard. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-0321-4.