KV-13

This article is about a Soviet experimental medium tank. For a tomb, see KV13.
KV-13
KV-13
TypeMedium tank
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
Used bySoviet Union
Production history
DesignerSKB-2
Designed1941–1942
ManufacturerChelyabinsk Kirov Plant
Produced1942
No. built3
Specifications ([1])
Mass32 metric tons
Length6.65 m (21 ft 10 in) with gun forward
Width2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
Height2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew4
Armor120 mm maximum
Main
armament
76 mm M1941 ZiS-5 gun
Secondary
armament
1 × 7.62-mm DT-29 machine gun
EngineKharkiv V-2 V12, liquid-cooled diesel engine
600 hp (450 kW)
Power/weight18.8 hp/t (14.0 kW/t)
SuspensionTorsion bar suspension
Ground clearance450 mm (18 in)
Operational
range
320 km (200 miles)
Maximum speed 65 km/h (40 mph)

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]

Development

KV-13 on trials, 1942

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

  1. ^ a b c Solyankin, p. 79.
  2. ^ a b Svirin, p. 97.
  3. ^ a b Zaloga (2011), p. 4.
  4. ^ Zaloga (2013), p. 43.

Bibliography