Design on the KV-1 heavy tank began in 1938, with the intention that it should be the successor to the T-35 heavy tank. The first models of the KV-1 were field-tested during the Red Army's disastrous 1940 campaign in Finland. Despite the military setback, the KV-1 set the standard for Soviet tank design for several years to come, regularly used to spearhead breakthroughs or accompany infantry on the assault. While it was certainly a formidable vehicle, the KV-1 was not particularly mobile, routinely suffering from a number of automotive problems. It was also uparmored progressively without any concomittant changes made to the power plant, which resulted in a poor power-to-weight ratio and continual degradation in performance. Nevertheless, many historians view the KV series as an important achievement for the Russian military-industrial complex because it paved the way for more successful designs, including the "Josef Stalin" tanks.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Soviet Kliment Voroshilov KV-1E heavy tank that was attached to an unknown unit, then deployed to the Leningrad Sector during the Winter of 1942. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 3-1/2-inches
Width: 1-1/2-inches

Release Date: June 2016

Historical Account: "The Longest Siege" - The Defense of Leningrad encompassed an area of some 450 km and involved 517,000 men. The actual battle began on July 10th, 1941, and lasted over three years. The Germans, along with the Finnish army, attacked with 38 divisions and were opposed by Soviet units of the Northern and Northwestern Front. On July 10th, the Russian State Committee for Defense combined the two Russian Fronts, forming the Northwest Axis. Immediately, the Northwest Axis fortified the Krasnogvardeisk and Slutsk-Kolpino regions outside the city.

The first phase of the battle lasted from July 10th to late September. Although outmatched, the Russian defenders held their positions. Fighting was continuous through August 8 when the enemy attacked Krasnogvardeisk and broke through to the outskirts of Leningrad. Once again, however, the heart and pride of the Russians held off the Germans. On August 30th, the Germans managed to seize the nearby railroads, which cut Leningrad off from the rest of Russia. By September 8th, the only means of aid available were by air drops or by crossing Lake Ladoga.

Between November 1941 and October 1942 during the siege of Leningrad, 641,803 people died of starvation. Because of the shortages in food and supplies an offensive to break the blockade was impossible. Fortunately, a successful Russian counteroffensive at Stalingrad drained the enemy of resources needed to carry out a new attack on Leningrad that was being planned. Though the Germans would never take Leningrad the defense of the city would be one of the costliest for Russia in the war. Finally, in November 1942, the Soviet of Working People's Deputies laid a roadway across the frozen Lake Ladoga, enabling supplies to be brought in and the evacuation of over 550,000 people. At this point in the war, the Russians were in a favorable position to begin launching huge offensives to push the Germans back.