ZVEZDA 1/35 KV-1 SOVIET / RUSSIAN WWII HEAVY TANK Z3539

About the Russian KV-1  Heavy Tank.

The largest, most heavily armoured tank of its time when introduced, the KV-1 heavy tank played a major role in the defence of Russia in WWII. When first introduced in late 1930's, the KVI was, without a doubt, one of the most powerful tanks in the world - and a complete secret. It was built to be completely "bulletproof", and was shot proof against 37 or 50mm Anti-Tank Guns with it's thick 100mm armour. This heavy tank, weighing around 45 tons with crew of five, was armed with 76.2mm main gun and two Machine Guns. The armament was considered heavy for 1940, but by 1943 the main gun lacked punching power against new Panthers and Tigers. Although production of the KV-1 series ended in July 1941, the tank was active throughout the conflict, and the basic ideas were later incorporated in modern tanks of the Soviet Union and other nations.