KV-1/KV-1S Hybrids

Maxim Kolomyets' recent research has uncovered some new information on a series of hybrid vehicles assembled from KV-1 and KV-1S parts.

70 vehicles were delivered by ChKZ to the RKKA in November 1942, using KV-1S turrets mounted on KV-1 Model 1942 hulls, with several combinations of KV-1 and KV-1S fittings.  They were assigned to the 9th, 10th and 12th Heavy Breakthrough Companies.

One such vehicle, probably from the 12th Heavy Breakthrough Company, survives at Parfino.  Photographs can be found here.  The vehicle was knocked out in early 1943 but later recovered.  The vehicle has been 'restored' with a number of simplified features that were very likely not on the tank when it was built.

The vehicle «СИЛЬНЫЙ» commanded by Lieutenant V Vasilenko from the 9th Heavy Breakthrough Company, which appears on several commercial decal sets as a 'standard' KV-1S, was also one of these hybrid vehicles.

Thanks to Scott Fraser for passing the information along, and of course to Maxim for his continuing, exhaustive research on the subject.