KV-1

"Development was started at the end of 1938. A prototype was produced in August 1939. First saw action in December 1939 at the Mannerheim Line. The vehicle was mass-produced from March 1940 through August 1942, with a total of 2769 manufactured." The KV-1 is a Soviet tier 5 heavy tank.

KV-1
Turret: tier 5 KV-1 LKZ mod. 1940

Turret Armor: 90/75/75

Traverse Speed (deg/sec): 24

View Range (m): 310

Gun: tier 5 76 mm ZIS-5

Rate of Fire (rounds/min):

Penetration: 86/102/238

Damage: 110/110/156

Aiming Time (sec):

Accuracy:

Engine: tier 4 M-17L

Engine Power (h.p.): 450

Tracks: tier 4 KV-1 mod. 1940

Traverse speed (deg/sec):

Radio: tier 5 10R

Signal Range (m): 360

KV-57
Turret: tier 5 KV-1 LKZ mod. 1940

Turret Armor: 90/75/75

Traverse Speed (deg/sec): 24

View Range (m): 310

Gun: tier 5 57 mm project 413

Rate of Fire (rounds/min): 26.09

Penetration: 112/189/95

Damage: 85/85/95

Aiming Time (sec): 2.30

Accuracy: 0.34

Engine: tier 4 M-17LT

Engine Power (h.p.): 500

Tracks: tier 5 KV-1 mod. 1941

Traverse speed (deg/sec): 20

Radio: tier 7 10RK

Signal Range (m): 440

KV-57M
Turret: tier 5 KV-1 ChTZ mod. 1942

Turret Armor: 110/110/110

Traverse Speed (deg/sec): 24

View Range (m): 310

Gun: tier 5 57 mm project 413

Rate of Fire (rounds/min): 26.09

Penetration: 112/189/95

Damage: 85/85/95

Aiming Time (sec): 2.30

Accuracy: 0.34

Engine: tier 4 M-17LT

Engine Power (h.p.): 500

Tracks: tier 5 KV-1 mod. 1941

Traverse speed (deg/sec): 20

Radio: tier 7 10RK

Signal Range (m): 440

KV-57M1
Turret: tier 5 KV-1 LKZ mod. 1940

Turret Armor: 90/75/75

Traverse Speed (deg/sec): 24

View Range (m): 310

Gun: tier 5 57 mm project 413

Rate of Fire (rounds/min): 26.09

Penetration: 112/189/95

Damage: 85/85/95

Aiming Time (sec): 2.30

Accuracy: 0.34

Engine: tier 6 V-2K

Engine Power (h.p.): 500

Tracks: tier 5 KV-1 mod. 1941

Traverse speed (deg/sec): 20

Radio: tier 7 10RK

Signal Range (m): 4400

KV-9
Turret: tier 5 KV-1 LKZ mod. 1940

Turret Armor: 90/75/75

Traverse Speed (deg/sec): 24

View Range (m): 310

Gun: tier 5 122 mm U-11

Rate of Fire (rounds/min): 5.26

Penetration: 61/140

Damage: 450/370

Aiming Time (sec): 2.90

Accuracy: 0.57

Engine: tier 6 V-2K

Engine Power (h.p.): 500

Tracks: tier 5 KV-1 mod. 1941

Traverse speed (deg/sec): 20

Radio: tier 7 10RK

Signal Range (m): 440

KV-11
Turret: tier 5 KV-1 LKZ mod. 1940

Turret Armor: 90/75/75

Traverse Speed (deg/sec): 24

View Range (m): 310

Gun: tier 6 85 mm F-30

Rate of Fire (rounds/min): 12

Penetration: 120/161/43

Damage: 160/160/280

Aiming Time (sec): 2.90

Accuracy: 0.41

Engine: tier 6 V-2K

Engine Power (h.p.): 500

Tracks: tier 5 KV-1 mod. 1941

Traverse speed (deg/sec): 20

Radio: tier 7 10RK

Signal Range (m): 440

Performance
The KV-1 is one of the most popular tanks in the game. Its thick armor, generous gun selection, and easy-to-learn play style make it one of the best starter tanks and allow it to easily dominate in the hands of a skilled player. In real life, the KV-1 was designed to spearhead assaults against heavily defended areas. It was nearly invulnerable to enemy guns during its time and retains this feature in World of Tanks. The KV-1 has very thick all-around hull armor and a very tough turret. This allows it to sidescrape with ease and withstand serious beatings. Although thick, the KV-1's armor is mostly unsloped which means the hull must be properly angled to realize its full potential.

The KV-1 also offers a generous selection of guns: a rapid-firing and highly accurate 57mm; an extremely powerful but very unreliable 122mm howitzer, or a hard-hitting 85mm which mediates between the two. The only downside to the KV-1's guns are their slow aiming speeds; shells will be reloaded before the 57 mm gun is fully aimed. Furthermore, the KV-1 is very slow and turns sluggishly. Its once-formidable armor and weaponry are much less effective against higher tier tanks. This coupled with poor maneuverability and speed make the KV-1 easy prey against tier 6 and tier 7 tanks. However, don't let that dissuade you. The KV-1 is very fun and easily dominates when in a tier 5 battle.

The KV-1 has excellent guns and armor for its tier which allow it to heavily dominate tanks at and below its tier. It's tough, fun, powerful, easy-to-learn, and a great choice as a starter heavy tank. The KV-1 is a keeper for many, and with good reason.