kv 2 (V2)

Intro The KV-2 is a Soviet heavy assault tank developed and used during World War II. It is a variant of the KV series (named after Kliment Voroshilov, a prominent Soviet military commander) and is particularly famous for its large, boxy turret and massive gun. Here's a detailed overview: --- ? Basic Information: Name: KV-2 (Kliment Voroshilov model 2) Type: Heavy assault tank Country of Origin: Soviet Union Service Period: 1940–1945 (primarily early WWII) Number Built: Around 334 --- ? Key Features: Feature Details Weight ~52 tons Armor Thickness Up to 75 mm Main Armament 152 mm M-10 howitzer Secondary Armament 3 × 7.62 mm DT machine guns Crew 6 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator, assistant loader) Engine V-2K 12-cylinder diesel, 600 hp Top Speed ~25–30 km/h (on roads) Operational Range ~150–200 km --- ? Design and Purpose: Designed to destroy fortified positions, bunkers, and enemy strongpoints. Mounted a 152 mm howitzer, one of the largest tank-mounted guns of the time. The gun gave it immense firepower, but made the turret very heavy and the tank mechanically unreliable. The high silhouette and slow traverse turret made it vulnerable in tank-to-tank combat. --- ? Combat History: First saw action in the Winter War (1939–1940) and early stages of Operation Barbarossa (1941). Was initially effective against German tanks and fortifications. However, suffered from mobility, mechanical reliability, and turret rotation issues due to the weight of the gun and turret. Many were lost due to breakdowns, getting stuck, or lack of fuel rather than enemy fire. --- ? Legacy: The KV-2 became an iconic symbol of Soviet armored might, especially due to its intimidating size. German troops referred to it as a "monster" and initially had trouble defeating it with standard anti-tank weapons. It was eventually phased out in favor of more balanced designs like the IS-series tanks. --- ? In Popular Culture: Frequently featured in