How Bad Was The KV-1?

This series tends to find a middle ground for polarized tanks, but the Soviet KV-1 heavy tank is a bit different. Many either don't think much of it or think it was great, despite its troubled development and service life.
Sources:
KV-1 Soviet Heavy Tanks of WWII by Jochen Vollert
The SU-152 and Related Vehicles by Yuri Igorevich Pasholok & Dana Lombardy
KV-2 Soviet Heavy Breakthrough Tank of WWII by Jochen Vollert
World War 2 In Review No. 32: Soviet Fighting Vehicles
KV-1 & 2 Heavy Tanks 1939-45 by Steven Zaloga & Peter Sarson
Armored Champion by Steven Zaloga
Check the channel "About" section for the link to the creator of my profile picture.
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Halo 3: ODST - Rain (Deference for Darkness)
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Armored Warfare Crew Voices
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#warthunder​​​​​​​​​​​​ #tanks​​​​​​​​​​​​ #tankhistory

[@Spookston]

I'm doing a monitor giveaway with Apex, you can enter here: gleam.io/PXahY/spookston-x-apex-gaming-pcs-giveaway

[@weird134]

Could u do a video about how bad was the Pz 4?

[@RELVOLAR24.87]

So imagine this you know alot of early german tanks had no sloped armor? What if you sloped the armor, how good would thaf make them? Ive been wondering for a long time now like a pz iv with slowed or a pz2j with sloped?

[@hitlersbutler3945]

Damn im 6 months late

[@WillyWanker3728]

@@hitlersbutler3945 nice name bro

[@phoenixfire9176]

The IS2 is a tank that rarely gets discussed in terms of its irl action, a video on that would be cool

[@martijn9568]

Things I know about the IS2 (Or is it JS2?) 1. It's in War Thunder 2. It's a late war Russian heavy tank.

[@tigerbesteverything]

@@martijn9568 IS or JS depend on the language, because it's Joseph (Stalin) or Ioseph, which is the same but in russian and english

[@88b13]

No is2 entered berlin

[@CucombrKat]

@@worldoftancraft vowels and consonants are not the same for different alphabets and languages, even grade schoolers know this

[@ushikiii]

It's one of my favorites along with eh t 3485, comet and Centurion Mk3.

[@staszektd2161]

"As the KV-1 became heavier and heavier the transmission issues became worse" sounds awfully German

[@G4Br1ELCLM]

Which is a whole deal of irony. Nazi Germany had issues with Soviet armor in the Eastern Front and adapted their tactics to deal with them, and the fairly new and unreliable tanks were a problem on itself that helped the attackers circumvent tanks that were perceived to be "better" like the T-34 and KV-1 during the early stages of Barbarosa. Later in war the Nazis would do the same mistake with the Tigers and Panthers, as if it never crossed their minds that the Western Allies and the Soviet Union would try to apply similar tactics or that the issues the Soviets had with their heavy armor wouldn't plague them as well.

[@youthere7327]

sounds ww2 tank

[@strategicperson95]

@@G4Br1ELCLM you say that, but Soviet tanks still were plagued by Transmission problems even after WW2 and in their subsequent Cold War designs that still would take years till they built a more reliable transmission.

[@DovahFett]

Or any other country in history that has designed and fielded tanks.

[@UVCMD]

@@strategicperson95 Soviet late WW2 tanks were "crap" by design, so you could make more or them. If the transmission broke of one tank, there were 5 tanks to replace the failed one. To be able to develop anything good quality and reliable you need to recover from the war first. No country suffered more in the war than the soviet union.

[@blackegret666]

KV-1 in a nutshell: "Sergei, the transmission broke."

[@dukeoftoast2420]

"Don't worry, we're now a bunker!"

[@crazywarriorscatfan9061]

That's what the majority of heavy tanks say

[@BaDArxz]

This must be how the Fritz feel, huh Sergei?

[@lutscher7979]

can't move, but the turret can! ah blyat Ivan, the turret ring got stuck from a random bullet, is that even possible

[@ilmoretz4246]

That 66 hours average engine working life time really impressed me not in a good way

[@lonerangerv1224]

The KV is one of many vehicles where the perception, both at the time of service with soldiers and nowadays in popular history, does not really match up with its actual performance. Big scary tank with lots of armour and big gun is a big scary tank to the enemy and a symbol for allies regardless of its actual problems.

[@88b13]

It was good until the 1943

[@marcinm2767]

@@88b13 until 42.

[@Glebasik148]

@@88b13 there still was a lot of pz3 and pz4 at late stages of war

[@blorb2120]

@@Glebasik148 aye but the pz4 mostly had the long 75 at this point didn't it?

[@panzerofthelake506]

@@blorb2120 angle the armour and it couldn't penetrate

[@asordidlobster]

The Cromwell series of tanks would be a good addition to this series.

[@hklassehutten1476]

The KV still beats the HSTVL in one thing It actually saw combat.

[@caro7048]

Bruh

[@spazzkill4092]

Terror610 is that you?

[@cameronmoss2933]

The early KVs are an example of fighting as hard as you can with what you have (not detracting from other tanks that took the brunt of Barbarossa)

[@g.williams2047]

Barbarossa was just the USSR trying to slow down the Germans enough with the corpses of light tanks to move their factories back.

[@cameronmoss2933]

Yeah, a lot of BT’s, T-26’s, and T-70’ etc. got slaughtered during that time

[@RussianThunderrr]

@@g.williams2047 wrote: "Barbarossa was just the USSR trying to slow down the Germans enough with the corpses of light tanks to move their factories back." -- Ah, what an idiotic comment.

[@RussianThunderrr]

@@cameronmoss2933 - T-70 did not even existed at Barbarossa.

[@cameronmoss2933]

@@RussianThunderrr Oops, my knowledge of Russian tanks is not always up to scratch, I do a lot more with US equipment usually

[@patrickazzarella6729]

Who needs the tank to run for more than a couple of days when the average life span of the vehicle in combat was measured in hours.

[@OuterHeaven210]

Lol at your avatar.

[@jaewoojung1309]

Okey but why is maos hair floating without any head in your pfp?

[@yuumisanada2803]

@@jaewoojung1309 it's John Xina!!!!!!

[@DiceStrike]

Wong Cena, is that you?

[@conordwyer1553]

Planned obsolescence.

[@kennethreyes7859]

Ive bounced so many shells off of the KV-1S turret it’s hilarious. i remember bouncing a shell from what i think was a stug and ended up killing him after the bounce

[@theOn2]

I've killed dozens of KV's in my Stuh while getting up-tiered. But yeah, KVs bounce a LOT.

[@UnknownAI3]

@@theOn2 especially de zis 5 in the front like 107mm and turret 90mm

[@divinehatred6021]

Just a little bit of realism in war thunder, yea

[@WelcomeToDERPLAND]

Literally any tank exist: Transmission - "Aight imma head out."

[@Doppler-hh5nt]

I wish we could get more insight into the why certain decisions were made, like why was the power train not improved when obvious faults were shown, or why if the tank was not effective was development still perused? I get that hind-sight is 20/20 but you don't need hindsight to see that a 66hr engine life-span is terrible.

[@zafranorbian757]

Usually things are not that easy, you can´t just improove a transmission or engine by changing a thing here and there. Usually you need to make new equipment that at best can use the old one as a basis. And even if you manage to prototype one, changing production would mean, stopping the current production, getting new tools for the new production in place, and restarting the production from scratch, meaning potentially months where a full factory is unable to produce anything. In wartimes this is a major concern and the main reason why the base T-34 or Pz. IV saw combat so long without majour upgrades despite both being in need of them.

[@anderlillemaa4392]

Slowdown of production was often unacceptable and making a new design takes vastly more time and resources than trying to improve an existing one. Time they often didn't have. ... Also political reasons. Nobody wanted to disappoint Stalin, the designers and producers wanted to sell their "wonder" tank...

[@ausaskar]

A shit tank is better than no tank, see the M3 Lee.

[@Silverraptorvideos]

What everyone else said. Changing your factories for production of a new model of vehicle stops production for a while, which is quite unacceptable in war time. Take the Ford Willow Run Factory. At the start, when Ford's son started working with the military, he gets the factory ready to crank out B-24 planes, then the military would come in with a new design for the B-24 (Like wanting to switch out all .30 cal machine guns to .50 cal machineguns, or modification to the engines). It would cost him a couple of weeks to redesign the factory to the new specification, and then was about to start up and the military came in with more design changes. After several months of maybe producing a handful of planes, Ford finally had enough and told the military that he would no longer be accepting any new design changes to the B-24. The military was yelling at him for not producing the planes he promised, and then when he refused the constant new designs, they yelled at him again for not making the planes they wanted. His solution was constructing "Modification Stations" all over the country. When a stock B-24 was constructed, it was then flown out to one of these modification stations which would make the recommended changes the military wanted to each plane separately. After that, Willow run was able to make the 1 B-24 an hour that it is now famous for, and the military was able to keep changing their designs and having them implemented without slowing down production.

[@annakanna]

most of the plants capable of producing KV tanks were undersupplied and it was more urgent to produce the tanks faster rather than redesigning components, the Ukrainian campaign only concluded sometime around late 1943

[@andrews_lego_tanks_and_more]

I think a lot of the hype around this vehicle does come from games where reliability isn't really an issue, plus there are some amazing stories of Soviet crews using them. Overall I'd say the vehicle isn't terrible as it could prove effective, rather it was rushed into service and had issues that were never properly solved.

[@jonathanallen3688]

Eh for me its the multiple confirmed stories of it just being a wall and destroying shit. Realistically most russian vehicles were like this. Shoddy pre-production then shoddy production and absolutely horrible crew conditions.

[@ashleyhamman]

The way it's been depicted from what I've read is that the unreliability was more or less par for the course with the USSR trying to make more "modern" (read: the generation after inter-war) tanks. Being as the KVs were early entries to this generation it should be unsurprising that they did well against its early contemporaries, and poorly against what came after. That said, the series was probably a significant morale booster, and they had some legendary moments as a result of their wastefully overbuilt nature. The epitome of this is when a KV-2's ammo detonated, the turret remained intact, and instead the hull disintegrated.

[@901Sherman]

Shoddy production quality doesn’t mean shit when the tanks still do what they’re suppose to do in combat very well, can be easily repaired, and allow for a good old mass spaming.

[@Juel92]

@@jonathanallen3688 The question is what they sacrificed in resources and mobility/operational versatility to get that KV-1 in that position. In the end wars are won and lost by resources and strategy over K/D.

[@jasonli2474]

it's the King Tiger of 1940: Huge gun and amazing armour, and cruddy everything else.

[@bkjeong4302]

Isn’t that heavy tanks in general?

[@AFT_05G]

Tell me a heavy tank from WW2 that didn’t suffer mechanically.

[@Galaxy-oy4nj]

@@AFT_05G M4A3E2, IS-2

[@Zombie1Boy]

KV-1 led to Germany up-gunning their tanks to 88mm since that was the only reliable gun they could field that could penetrate it

[@lowesmanager8193]

No the Tiger's development technically started before the war and was drastically changed when the Germans encountered the Matilda 2 and various heavily armored French tanks during the Fall of France.

[@nahuelleandroarroyo]

The long 75mm also has the capacity to beat it

[@88b13]

@@nahuelleandroarroyo but the KV was better because armor and gun

[@rudolfthecat1176]

@@88b13 the 2 pounder was a perfectly fine anti tank gun at the very start of WW2, remember, the Germans were still using 37s at the time

[@NokotanFanCentral]

@@88b13 Not really. I can see where your coming from, but saying it has a good gun is an over statement considering that nearing mid war and end war most of the tanks coming up now were more or less panthers and Tigers and panzer 4. Armour wise, Yes!

[@banzaibomb4980]

Would love to see a How Good/Bad video for the Jumbo. Keep up the great work!

[@PrometheanGOld4]

The prototype might be a decent event vehicle, nonetheless a great video on a vehicle I really like!

[@ausaskar]

Yeah, the double gun setup on the US M6 heavy is great fun. A similar KV would be a blast too.

[@DaReaperZ]

It would be really cool, as long as it isn't undertiered (or underBRed I suppose)

[@kirishima638]

The biggest problem with the KV series is it didn't offer an advantage over the cheaper, faster T-34.

[@naamadossantossilva4736]

Yeah,even the things that should make it better(3 man turret) didn't work.

[@evilfurryfromnowhere4100]

Именно поэтому создали более тяжелый ИС-1/2... КВ устаревал, у него не было задела для модификаций и да, его трансмиссия была неудачной. Но в тяжелом танке была большая нужда.

[@worldoftancraft]

@@evilfurryfromnowhere4100 тут эта, на Англофонском говорят. К счастью о немного большем чем об «Акцентах», ну знаете эта Епать-как-ёмкая тема. Так шо это, язык смените

[@evilfurryfromnowhere4100]

@@worldoftancraft неадекват? Что за сумбурщину ты написал? Под спайсом?

[@worldoftancraft]

@@evilfurryfromnowhere4100 тут не на русском общаются.

[@mammothmk3355]

It is quite surreal for Germany when facing this.... thing. I mean, enemy heavy tank encounter is no stranger with German soldier. They faced them (Char B1, Matilda 2,...) and overcome them all. *Until the KV-1.* I mean, just look at the size, the size of KV-1 make Matilda 2 looks like a kitten. XD

[@ZETH_27]

The Matilda 2 managed to fit the same armour in a package that was smaller and that didn't break down as often, only lacking feature was the 2-pounder.

[@DovahFett]

I think they're response was probably to sit back and wait for the 8,8s to roll up, as the KV-1 wasn't getting anywhere quickly if hadn't already broken down.

[@breizhrudie4757]

Yeah, the Tiger was seriously considered when facing B1s, and they speed up the process on pervitin boost when they encountered KVs

[@piscessoedroen]

you forgot the part that this thing was meant to transport heavy armor quickly, which adds an even more scary factor

[@cedric9874]

The germans where already panicing when facing the b1 tanks. They got there shit pushed when they fought the kv1. They where very lucky they had the 8.8 not to late

[@thecelestialprince487]

"Most people think very highly of it (the KV-1)" Really? I have never met someone who actually praised the KV-1 or KV-2, as most people I've met meme on it for its many short comings in conflicts like the winter war, with a exception being how no tank fielded by the German army could penetrate the KV-1 or KV-2's armor at the start of operation Barbarossa. Other than that I've heard little praise for the tank, so its surprising to hear you say that a lot of people think highly of the KV-1 for me at least.

[@sarven5974]

The KVs get praised for their last stands of which there are several. Haven’t heard any other form of praise tho, just memes

[@jacknjayplayz6380]

I mean a single kv 1 destroyed 22 german vehicles including medium and light tanks aswell as other vehicles by just entrenching itself and firing at the german tanks

[@DaReaperZ]

@@jacknjayplayz6380 Yup that's the most cited story, where a KV-1 faced off against Pz.IIs and Pz.IIIs with short guns. Sure the armor proved very effective, but the opposition wasn't very impressive.

[@Starjumper2821]

Probably people whose opinion of a vehicle is based more on performance in WT or WoT than irl reports. As I understand it, they do outnumber actual historians and in War Thunder, the KV-1 is indeed a very good tank, since reliability is not a thing. Many German tanks have similar distortion of their popular impression.

[@aristotlespupil136]

That's more because of how op they are in wt at br 3.7 -4.3. Russians steamrolling others with an entire team of kv's ends a match fast. The kv1 that is. The kv2 not so much.

[@monticore1626]

while the tank wasn't very good I think it was an important milestone for soviet tank design

[@Rexhunterj]

It also contributed to the germans overdesigning their tanks to deal with the high armor the soviets had developed, which lead to the tanks being overcomplicated or having very major flaws.

[@sebastiaomendonca1477]

Theres a story about a KV series tank (accounts vary on whether it was a KV-1 or a KV-2) taking out an entire panzer battalion on its own

[@naamadossantossilva4736]

The monster of Raseiniai was a KV-1.The KV-2 turret armor would not have survived 88mm hits.

[@NokotanFanCentral]

Or tank alley, but that’s also because those were outdated tanks. So it doesn’t count

[@EggBob-tk5ek]

@@NokotanFanCentralyeah but that’s probably why the Germans built such massive cannons to avoid threats from these massive unreliable hulking beasts just tanking their shots

[@NokotanFanCentral]

@@EggBob-tk5ek they went from Mobile Light-mediums to Heavy-mediums

[@RussianThunderrr]

Also one of the reasons why Aberdeen test had a short engine life for both tanks(T-34 and KV-1) because they failed to adhere/read to service manual, that called for frequent cleaning of air filters.

[@acanofbacon914]

If you're at war, I don't think you'll have a lot of time to be cleaning air filters. Much less if the enemy is steamrolling you like in Operation Barberossa.

[@RussianThunderrr]

@@acanofbacon914 wrote: "If you're at war, I don't think you'll have a lot of time to be cleaning air filters." -- If you want to survive(as most of us normal people do) then you'll find the time to clean a damn air filter at every stop... -- Abrams tank in first Gulf war, before they switched to "cyclone" style air filtration had to stop every 15-25 miles to clean their filters, which was not a deal breaker in a skim of warfare...

[@marcinm2767]

@@RussianThunderrr if you live one hour on battlefield, you don't have time to clean fillters. Other nations tanks can go 1000 miles without repairs.

[@RussianThunderrr]

@@marcinm2767 wrote: "Other nations tanks can go 1000 miles without repairs." --What nation would that be dummie? Please do share, I want to laugh.

[@marcinm2767]

@@RussianThunderrr yes idiot, Sherman was tested like that. Oj poor russian think that it russian tanks was best. Lern more, read more. If you want to laugh, then look at mirror.

[@BHuang92]

"KV-1 exist" Transmission: *Well, guess I'll die then..*

[@sealboyy6584]

Always love when you put that background music, brings back some nostalgia

[@man1699]

I assume that it had some positive impact on the designing of a better heavy tank.

[@lector-dogmatixsicarii1537]

Problem... they kept using the same turbo dumpster fire power pack with stereotypical Soviet build quality all the way through the T-10. They kept doing the same caved brain things with their designs like having non existent vents gassing the crew dead in the first two minutes.

[@HMSNeptun]

@@lector-dogmatixsicarii1537 but none of them did die? Sure ventilation is bad but it didn't kill anyone

[@bkjeong4302]

Given that heavy tanks in general (except arguably the IS-2) were garbage in terms of reliability….

[@EcchiRevenge]

It had plenty of impact, such as the most memorable part of Raseiniai. There was also KV-85. Tiger H likely would not have been as overweight...etc. if not for existence of KV tanks.

[@randomd8266]

The sad truth about my favorite stalinium heavy... at least is fun to play!

[@yegorgribenuke6853]

Absolutely love standing on point and watching 4 tanks fail to penetrate me. I feel like the fucking Terminator.

[@ATruckCampbell]

@@yegorgribenuke6853 Right? I have held off entire teams and single-handedly won matches doing that.

[@yegorgribenuke6853]

@@ATruckCampbell yeah. I dont think further ranks get better than that. Lower ranks are the most fun to play, i believe.

[@punic4045]

@@yegorgribenuke6853 I mean that's basically what gave the KV legendary status in WW2 as well. Many stories of last-stands where it acts more like a bunker than a tank, most famously at the Battle of Raseiniai (I've also had those moments playing with the KV1, it's definitely my favorite tank in WT)

[@silverwolf5643]

So basically Kv-1 is more of a stock gab tank like the M3Lee

[@classifiedad1]

Except that the M3 Lee was actually reliable.

[@remove_marko]

@@classifiedad1 KV-1 was very reliable... when not on the move, but when it's in a dug in position almost nothing that the Germans had at the start of the war could destroy it

[@classifiedad1]

@@remove_marko Isn't the whole point of a tank over a bunker to be able to move?

[@eradoesthis]

Babe look, Spookston uploaded

[@dembones9275]

this pretty much sums up what little experience i had with the kv1 in war thunder

[@Sebonotik]

Excellent as usual Spook

[@broesilov]

According to David Fletcher from the tank museum the KV1 was a outstanding tank.

[@pax6833]

The KV-1 also suffered from the abysmal state of the Red Army in 41 when it could have made a difference. It was bad enough that russian crews were losing many to driving accidents. To say nothing of the general disorganization. Had the Red Army not been on such a back foot, the Kv1 could have had more impact. It could certainly soak up a lot of damage.

[@romazzz93]

First prototype Kv project was made as diplom project by group of students. They used many elements from those multi turret prototypes. Then it was taken by buro they worked in for further development that had to be done in really short time.

[@CZ350tuner]

Before the KV-1S was the KV-1 1942 (KV-1 Ausf C in German designation), which carried 110mm. of frontal hull armour with 106mm. frontal turret armour, a redesigned cast turret with an improved bustle underside, to deflect placed explosive charge blasts and protective guard plates protecting the turret ring.

[@basbass429]

So the tank design was excellent, but the war started a year too early which meant they had to rush it to production without proper development and no time to develop a transmission that could cope with the stress/loads. Very comparable to the later Tiger I problems which was too heavy for its engine but when it did work (and not destroyed by aircraft) was very effective.

[@pavelslama5543]

Yeah, it had reliability issues, same as every other tank, especially in this weight category. But unlike Tiger II, they had time to fix it (kinda like Tiger I, just 2 and half years earlier). For the Soviet defensive tactics of 1941 and 42 it was a very usable tank.

[@roger5555ful]

The KVs had a worse problem, they didn't know how to use them,too many were sent in battle with no ammo,support or badly trained crews

[@Tankdestroyer467]

Can we just all agree that every tank had issues???

[@tokoyamik1035]

One of the few multi-purpose tanks, it could switch to a tactical bunker when less expected

[@michaelbaker8284]

The KV-1 and its new prototypes did great in the siege of Leningrad where they did not have to drive cross country. That was the KV's last hurrah as thats where the factory was.

[@campbellwalker6378]

It's always fun when you get lucky in thr middle of a game and five light tanks with 37mm cannons start firing and the shells bounce off like really loud rain.

[@alaskagaming1036]

Has anyone noticed the Subnautica theme playing in the background? 🤣 but all jokes aside great video dude!

[@BillyDaMarten]

Your videos are wonderfully short and concise

[@ThelVadam7777]

A lot of vehicles seem to be judged based on a single event like that one time a KV-1 “tanked” a butt ton of rounds

[@RussianThunderrr]

-- Single event, what exactly are you talking about? Is that Rassinai or how Zinovi Kolobanov became Top Allies Tank Ace in a single day? --Oh, wait its at least two events, but surely there were a lot more, I'm just saying!

[@grievetan]

KV-1 was actually good for beginning of war

[@imadequate3376]

I down teired in WT to play with a friend. It's pretty good against tanks with lighter guns. But panzer IV F2s and tank destroyers are a issue. Personally I play the long game with my KVs, and take a long, inconspicuous, heavily forested route to the enemies side of the map and start making long shots with a 75mm on the sides of Sherman tanks. It works well.

[@godziller6755]

Always love the videos!

[@Hanerviy]

However bad it was in reality, it's still definitely an adrenaline rush when you hear the sound of shells bouncing off the zis-5 in-game

[@ciara8811]

Heavy tanks and failed drive systems, name a more iconic duo.

[@thirdholegaming9239]

German tank crews: *Can these transmission issues get any worse?* KV1: *Privyet*

[@worldoftancraft]

Sure. This language has only three words and two of greeting that every phoreigner knows: "Privyet" and "suka blad"

[@worldoftancraft]

Клим Ворошилов: *чпоньк* добрый вечер.

[@_Morph1ne_]

quite a far cry from being an absolute menace in practically every game its featured in...

[@treeviper1700]

yay new spookston video

[@Kerman_von_Braun]

''but the engine and transmission continued to have issues'' - literally every heavy tank ever built

[@whohashamburger855]

It's crazy to think I wanted historically accurate vehicles in wt at one point it would make war thunder into repair thunder.

[@oneofmanyparadoxfans5447]

If you can't afford to buy more stuff in the game, it already is Repair Thunder. My wallet is damn near empty.

[@NokotanFanCentral]

It’s not the tanks that will kill you. *it’s the lions* Trust me. I’ve gone through the big sad in this game 6 times over

[@oneofmanyparadoxfans5447]

@@NokotanFanCentral As I said about my wallet (regarding SL), it's almost empty.

[@whohashamburger855]

@@oneofmanyparadoxfans5447 I've been playing this game since 2016 so SL isnt that big of a problem for me. But I have to admit for someone newer to wt the economy is tragic they really need to either scale repair cost down or get rid of them entirely.

[@lector-dogmatixsicarii1537]

The American team would be the only one still playing when the dust settled.

[@Nick-bk7es]

If you think about it. It wasn't exactly a bad tank. Like all tanks so long as it does it's job protecting the crew and providing support on the battlefield regardless of issues before being replaced with a better vehicle it's a decent tank or average not terrible but not good

[@MRKapcer13]

Wouldn't you say that the IS series is a continuation of the KV series though, with IS-1 being quite similar in KV-1S? And those seem like a very successful family of heavy tanks, even with all of the problems that early IS-3s had.

[@RussianThunderrr]

Yes, since it was designed by the same design bureau by Joseph Kotin. There was a KV-85/IS-1, though IS tank was a better tank platform.

[@Calbeck]

If Spookston videos have taught me anything, it's that no one knew how to build a transmission back in the day.

[@tdlf156]

Maybe a “How bad was the Char B1” is in order

[@naamadossantossilva4736]

French tears will flow like river.

[@boranates1320]

WW2 Tank: Exists Transmission: Ight imma head out

[@osek64]

I would think, that in video about KV-1 ...where you are almost whole video riding KV-85 you at least mentions it , since this variant solves most of firepovert problems :(

[@Kalashnikov413]

He didn't used the KV-85 in any of these footages. He used KV-1E, KV-1S, and KV-122

[@fergusfitzgerald977]

The KV -1 did one really important thing - it deflected more than incoming shells - it deflected the Germans into the Tiger and other exotic heavies when they should have just producex more and more Panzer 4's and Stugs - that may have been one of the many things that lost them the War !

[@destroyerarmor2846]

The KV1-C must have been awesome historically

[@denisj.4213]

that remembers me yesterday when i destroyed spookston kv-85 with m4...

[@bobbob-ou2uz]

You forgot that at the same time the kv 1 was basically immune to German tanks and anti tank guns except the flak 88 and the tiger 1&2 which uses the flak 88

[@AFT_05G]

Nope,later Panzer IVs and Panther’s(a tank that had a higher pen gun than Tiger I) could’ve gone through KV-1 like butter.Idk where this misconseption comes from. KV-1s were only immune to Panzer 1-2s and early models of Panzer 3 and 4.

[@ushikiii]

Okay maybe it wasn't the best but it looks metal af.

[@Juel92]

I think like the only reason heavy tanks reached the popularity they did during WW2 was due to an unholistic approach to tanks and their strengths in war. It feels like they went off soldier and lower level commander reports of them being basically invincible but forgot to consider how much they cost/materials used/build time, how slow and unreliable they were and the massive support structure required to make them work effeciently. I would call heavy tanks "Luxury tanks" i.e. something you get once you have enough of the basic ones. They can supplement an already loaded and versatile force but should not be relied on to make up any kind of backbone.

[@pelimania2786]

Ahh yes, our old friend the transmission.

[@swenhtet2861]

For the next video, do How Bad Were Japanese Tanks. Also, which shell is the best when you play the I-Go and Chi-Ha tanks, APHE or HEAT?

[@averdadeeumaso4003]

HEAT for long range sniping, APHE when close depending if it pens

[@swenhtet2861]

@@averdadeeumaso4003 Thanks.

[@maciekGTR]

that is-2 snipe was actually quite impressive

[@dimitrycccp8255]

Kv 122

[@MrGhozt]

A KV-1 can *tank* many shots from high-caliber weapons, but when it gets hit in the tracks by the smallest caliber weapon-

[@greekgeek5383]

The kv 1 was a good tank for its Time and saw some very successful missions such as tank ally

[@SuperMadman41]

thanks for the vid

[@kevinthescrub2686]

I remember using the KV1 as main tank for grinding, but damn it was strong survive- ablity, thinking about it, it feels like same as the StuG line where on one knew how it pen it. first time I encountered all of my T34 couldn't pen it. Overall I enjoyed using it :)

[@julianking6513]

To describe the KV-1(L-11)or (ZIS-5) in two words, nearly invincible

[@kevinthescrub2686]

@@julianking6513 literally

[@averdadeeumaso4003]

Hehe same with Valentine 1

[@averdadeeumaso4003]

And the M4A3 105mm when properly angled and not facing long 75mm germ guns

[@julianking6513]

@@averdadeeumaso4003 Yeahhhh

[@Manurespreader5]

Spookston please can you do is 2? I never saw an deep discusion about this tank so can you please make a video?

[@Manurespreader5]

I will offer you unlimited vodka

[@CrustaceanAllergyEnjoyer]

Now that is an unresistable offer from the greatest soviet leader!

[@crashpc2534]

Honestly the first one that has changed my opinion of a tank

[@rebelblade7159]

Can't wait for the video on the IS-2 or Stalin series in general

[@WhiteIkiryo-yt2it]

Considering the size of the T28 and how surprisingly fast that thing was, I was expecting something similar to that with the KV 1,.a little slower of course because it is a heavy tank but not terrible....then I was reminded of the Churchill from my British tree (I'm a Brit so of course I went with Blighty, first.) and now I am not so enthusiastic now I got one.

[@ryerial7723]

I can’t be the only one here who wants to see Spookston play Subnautica.

[@KingTigerGuy]

Ah yes, the Kv1. In the vida gaems, probably one of my favourite heavy tanks, and generally favourite irl cause it looks cool, but i knew it had issue with bridge crossing and general mobility. This lead me to guess there were some issues with probably the transmission. Didnt expect the entire suspension and engine system to just be completely underpowered. The development sounds fairly standard for tanks of the time, a completely rushed simple design that was more under the "we will fix it in post" thought process.

[@yegorgribenuke6853]

It was more under the "get us fucking heavy tanks or we are going to die" thought process

[@aldrichcruz9321]

But I'm historical accurate the KV1 would sit lie and wait and decimated German column tanks and it's considered a "Iron Door" nicknamed for it since 37mm and 50mm couldn't penetrate it

[@Dev.6]

In my personal opinion the reason the kv1 preformed bad when it was in late war is because it was designed to fight vehicles like panzer 2-3

[@edim108]

As bad as it was, one thing is absolutely undeniable. It looks DAMN AWESOME. It's one of the coolest looking WW2 tanks IMO.

[@Rexhunterj]

It also has the most in common, visually, with modern tanks.

[@gilvietor1918]

Vlad, take this casing it is spent. No Commander Vlad, there is no room here. OK, other Vlad, take the casing! No Commander Vlad, I can't reach it.

[@FearlessLeader2001]

As someone who recently got the IS-2, and is enjoying being able the absolutely decimate wehraboos...please IS-2 next? Oh, and we definitely need the poor Pershing as well

[@ausaskar]

Nothing better than peeking out at a cocky Jumbo out in the open and watching them accept their imminent death that no amount of hull wiggle can prevent.

[@FearlessLeader2001]

@@ausaskar it's like they hear the first notes of Duel of the Fates. They panic shot, and then completely lock up. It's absolutely fascinating.

[@NokotanFanCentral]

Don’t get there too cocky mate, otherwise your gonna see the people who actually can play WT in werahboo or Pershing’s.

[@FearlessLeader2001]

@@NokotanFanCentral The Pershing is WT is phenomenal, which is why I'd love a video on it. IRL, it was a MUCH different story

[@shadowdump2902]

I keep ending up thinking about subnautica when watching some of your videos, I end up wondering why and then I listen in. Good taste in music, but I admit subconsciously confusing. XD

[@SuperAdnan117]

Kelp forest music, right?

[@superjesse645]

If Gaijin had their way they'd have a queue time for replacing the KV-1 transmission.

[@belgianfried]

As a Soviet armour enthusiast, my best take on the KV is a, as a combatant, "meh". As a psychological weapon, though…

[@hoscale7745]

Have you done the KV-2

[@selfdo]

The KV and IS series of tanks should have been more properly termed "Turreted Assault Guns", as they weren't intended to fight enemy tanks, though many did quite well, especially against the generally more PUNY German panzers. They were intended in the "break-through" role, to deal with enemy fortifications, hence the HE firepower at the expense of AP in their main weapon, and the thick armor, at the expense of mobility. Their poor mobility and slow rate of fire, in part caused by heavy, clumsy ordnance, put them at a significant disadvantage when dueling with enemy armor. However, the T-34s and the various SU mounts were better suited anyway to deal with the "Panzers".

[@alvinkwok587]

can u do a video on KV2

[@kommanderc7208]

please make a video discussing spawn camping.

[@filipic12]

Tiger tanks (including the King Tiger) destroyed at least 10,300 enemy tanks and, just as importantly, the amazing number of 11,380 Pak guns and artillery pieces in World War II. These achievements were made with the loss of 1,725 Tiger tanks of all types (including a variety of operational and strategic casualties, that is, stagnant, abandoned, and blown up by their own crews). Taking into account all destroyed enemy tanks, Pak and artillery guns, infantrymen and other weapons and equipment, the Tiger tank was almost certainly the tank with the best ratio for firing losses. There is no doubt that these successes of the Tiger tanks have their cause in the very good all-round protection - in contrast to the only good frontal armor of the PzKpfw V Panther.

[@liamchester8196]

"It couldn't even snorkel" damn what a nerd can't even snorkel

[@devinodulchaoinitigh5467]

I'm surprised how well people are taking this I thought they'd all be pissed

[@mehmetemincoban8499]

If you say " the engine kept stoppin bla bla bla..."Every WWII tank would be poop.

[@박준수-c4i]

good video

[@TornadoADV]

The KV(1) was fundamental in the propaganda of the Soviet Politburo. Nobody cares that a KV can't actually travel most places in the Soviet Union, only that the places it could go was where singular KVs stopped entire German regiments in their tracks. The human mind is a fickle thing, but nothing speaks more clearly to our unga-bunga then heroic last stands, which, wouldn't you know it, the KV always seemed to be the centerpiece of in the terror causing opening days of Barbarossa. In other words, you're missing the forest for the trees.

[@kibo608]

are you using a custom sound mod? if you are can you tell me what it is?

[@Shizuka935]

0:54 new event premium vehicle you said?