KV-13
| KV-13 (KB-13 in Russian) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Medium tank |
| Place of origin |  Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Soviet Union |
| Wars | World War Two |
| Production history | |
| Designer | SKB-2 |
| Designed | 1941–1942 |
| Manufacturer | Chelyabinsk Kirov Plant |
| Produced | 1942 |
| No. built | 3 |
| Specifications ([1]) | |
| Mass | 32 metric tons |
| Length | 6.65 m (21.8 ft) (with gun forward) |
| 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) |
| Maximum speed | 65 km/h (40 mph) |
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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] This tank was never used in combat.
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. МИстория советского танка 1937–1943. Moscow: 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.