The KV-1’s transmission, which Kotin borrowed from a U.S.-made tractor, simply sucked. But one of the tank’s biggest problems was the fact the crew could barely see out of damn thing.

The KV’s history began in early 1939, when the Leningrad Kirov Plant’s chief designer Joseph Kotin proposed developing single-turret tanks as well as multi-turreted designs like the T-35.

The hastily created KV underwent further developments after the start of World War II. Steel panels added to the turret increased its armor thickness to 120 mm, but pushed the tank’s overall ...

The KV-1’s transmission, which Kotin borrowed from a U.S.-made tractor, simply sucked. But one of the tank’s biggest problems was the fact the crew could barely see out of damn thing.

During the brutal battles of 1941–1942 on the Eastern Front, German infantry faced a terrifying challenge: the Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. With limited anti-tank resources and no clear ...

The KV-1 tank, pictured, sank in the Neva River near Leningrad, now St Petersburg, during the battle for the city and was recovered this week.