The KVI series of tanks is constantly over-shadowed by thevaunted T-34. However, it was a nasty surprise to the advancing Germanarmies when these heavily armoured tanks held up progress for up to24 hours in some places. Initially, the Germans had to use 88mm Flakguns to take out the KVs. One wonders how history might have beenchanged had Soviet training, and Command & Control been on a par withother modern armies of the time. Besides inspiring the improvement ofGerman armour, the KVI is also the forerunner of the JS series of tanksfrom which the modern Soviet MBT was developed.In the summer Soviet tanks were painted a dark olive drab. During thewinter months white paint was applied to the entire tank, though itusually wore off the road wheels and running gear. Soviet tanks wereoften decorated with the names of heroes of the Revolution or the factorieswhose workers contributed money to build them. Later in the war evenCzarist heroes were used, especially those of the Napoleonic era.

KV-1 heavy tank. 116th Tank Brigade. April 1942.