Soviet KV-85 Heavy Tank
The KV-85 heavy tank reached the front in small numbers in September 1943; it was an interim solution that combined the turret and 85 mm D-5T tank gun of the newly developed IS-85 with the hull of the KV-1.S. Production of the KV-85 heavy tank was halted as soon as the IS-85 arrived at the front in October 1943. The effective 85 mm gun of the SU-85 tank destroyer, and the future T-34/85, was in high demand, as it could effectively engage the Tiger I, introduced in 1942, at ranges up to 1000 meters.
Available Scale Model Kits
- KV-85 Heavy Tank M.43/44, 1:35 Trumpeter TR01569
- KV-85 Heavy Tank M.43/44, 1:72 PST 72008
- KV-85 Heavy Tank M.43/44, 1:76 Ostmodels R12
- KV-85 Heavy Tank M.43/44, 1:76 Red Star RS 72
- KV-85 Heavy Tank M.43/44, 1:100 Roskopf 7
- KV-85 Heavy Tank M.43/44, 1:300 Heroics & Ros S15
Technical Specifications
- KV-85
- Type: Heavy Tank
- Engine: V-12 Diesel Kharkiv W-2 with 450 kW (600 hp)
- Maximum Speed: 40 km/h on roads
- Average Range: 250 km
- Length: 8490 mm
- Width: 3350 mm
- Height: 2870 mm
- Weight: 46.000 kg
- Armament:
- 85 mm D-5T Tank Gun
- three 7,62 mm DT Machine Guns
- Crew: Commander, Driver, Gunner, Loader
- Production: 148 Units (1943)
Historical Employment
- Soviet Army, 1943–1954
Bibliographie
- Ford, Roger: Tanks from 1916 until today, p. 65
- Zaloga, Steven J.: Stalin’s Heavy Tanks 1941–1945, The KV and IS Heavy Tanks
The KV-85 heavy tank was built in small numbers in 1943 as an interim solution until it could be replaced by the IS-85 tank. However, the 85 mm D-5T tank gun was in such high demand that only 67 IS-85 tanks (IS-1) were ever produced. The KV-85 was succeeded later that same year by the IS-122 (IS-2); many IS-85 tanks were retrofitted with the 122 mm tank gun at the factory. Models of the KV-85 might be of interest to wargamers who want to test this heavy tank in duels against the Tiger I and Panther.