KV-13
The KV-13 (Russian: KB-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]
| KV-13 | |
|---|---|
 KV-13 | |
| Type | Medium tank |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Soviet Union |
| 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 ft 10 in) with gun forward |
| Width | 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Armor | 120 mm maximum |
Main armament | 76 mm M1941 ZiS-5 gun |
Secondary armament | 1 × 7.62-mm DT-29 machine gun |
| Engine | Kharkiv V-2 V12, liquid-cooled diesel engine 600 hp (450 kW) |
| Power/weight | 18.8 hp/t (14.0 kW/t) |
| Suspension | Torsion bar suspension |
| Ground clearance | 450 mm (18 in) |
Operational range | 320 km (200 miles) |
| Maximum speed | 65 km/h (40 mph) |
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
- Solyankin, p. 79.
- Svirin, p. 97.
- Zaloga (2011), p. 4.
- Zaloga (2013), p. 43.
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.