KW-85
| KW-85 | |
|---|---|
Heavy Soviet tank KW-85 in the Avtovo district, Saint Petersburg, Russia |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
| length | 8.49 m |
| width | 3.25 m |
| height | 2.83 m |
| Dimensions | 46 tons |
| Armor and armament | |
| Armor | 40-100 mm |
| Main armament | 1 × 85mm L52 D-5T cannon |
| Secondary armament | 3 × 7.62 mm MG Degtjarjow DT |
| agility | |
| drive | V-12 diesel engine W-2 K 600 PS (450 kW) |
| suspension | Torsion bar |
| Top speed | 35 km / h (road),
12 km / h (off-road) |
| Power / weight | 13 hp / ton |
| Range | 330 km |
The KW-85 was a Soviet heavy tank used in World War II . In contrast to the KW-1 , the KW-85 received an 85 mm cannon , which was derived from an anti-aircraft gun . Only a few copies were built. The performance data were similar to those of the T-34/85 - only the latter was faster; In return, the KW-85 was much more heavily armored.
Development history
Attempts to install the 85 mm cannon in a tank took place as early as 1939. However, due to the cost, a special tank was not developed. With the appearance of the new German tigers and panthers , this development was taken up again by the Soviets in 1943. The greatest problem was the construction of a suitable cannon. All suitable proposals provided for a muzzle brake , which was not accepted by the Soviet leadership, as it reduced the performance of the cannon.
It was only with the appearance of the D-5T that the construction of a corresponding tank could begin. Since the war was now well advanced, not much time could be spent on development. It was therefore decided to install the 85 mm D-5T in the tower of the KW-Is and the newly developed IS-1 (as the successor to the KW series). This was possible because the dimensions of the D-5T allowed it to be installed without major modifications. Only the slewing ring had to be expanded and there was no space for the radio operator in the interior. Major problems with the serial production of the D-5T prevented mass production of the KW-85 and IS-1. When the cannon was finally available in sufficient quantities, it was already decided to use it for the new T-34/85.
Technical specifications
- Classification: heavy tank
- Manufacturer: Tscheljabinski Kirowski Sawod ( Russian Челябинский Кировский завод , abbreviation: ЧКЗ )
- Armament: 1 × 85-mm L52 D-5T cannon, 3 × 7.62-mm MG Degtjarjow DT
- Ammunition : 71 shells , 3276 rounds of machine-gun ammunition
- Armor
- Tub
- 75 mm bow / inclination 60 °
- 75 mm driver front above / 60 °
- 40 mm driver front below / 25 °
- 60 mm tub side / 90 °
- 40 mm stern up / 55 °
- 75 mm rear bottom / arched
- 30 mm ceiling / 0 °
- 20-30 mm bottom / 0 °
- tower
- 100 mm tower cover / arched
- 100 mm tower side / 75 °
- 100 mm stern / 75 °
- 40 mm ceiling / 0 °
- Tub
- Weight: 46 tons
- Engine: V12 diesel engine type W-2K with 600 HP
- Displacement : 38.9 liters
- Fuel consumption on 100 km of road: 290 liters
- Fuel supply: (main fuel tank / additional tanks) 600–615 / 4 × 90 liters
- Power / weight : 13 hp / ton
- Drive: on rear driving wheels
- Driving range (road with additional tanks): 330 km
- Maximum speed: (road / terrain) 35 km / h / 12 km / h
- Suspension: torsion bar springs
- Chain width: 608 mm
- Ground pressure : 0.79 kg / cm²
- Ground clearance: 40 cm
- Fording depth : 160 cm
- Overall length: 8490 mm
- Overall width: 3250 mm
- Height: 2830 mm
- Pipe overhang: 1590 mm
- Crew: 4 men
- Year of construction: 1943
- Number of pieces: 148
