KV-220 (Object 220)
The "Proto KV-3" of Leningrad

The KV-1 was a rather imposing tank when it was first built and certainly had no real equal in the world in 1940-1941. This was however not clear to the Soviet tank designers and the KV-1 was to be improved. Different improved KV-1s as such as the T-150 were built, but it became clear, that at least major modification was needed to create the heavy tank desired by requirements. While the goal here became the introduction of the KV-3 (107mm gun, partially sloped armour, longer chassis), the KV-220 spawned as a stopgap vehicle for KV-3 development. It had a lenghtened and uparmored hull (100mm front vs. 75mm on KV-1/2). A bigger turret housed a new 85mm F-30 gun. One full vehicle was built at Leningrad, but the turret was removed and took part in fighting as a pillbox, while the chassis was fitted with a normal KV-1 turret and also participated in figthing around Leningrad. A second prototype never had an original turret and fought in a similar configuration.

The model I am building is an offering of PST using their KV-1 parts with a new hull and turret. For better detailing, I also bought OKB Grigorov´s 700mm KV tracks (hopefully they are long enough for the extended chassis). For the painting, I have yet to decide between a plain green tank (as likely on the prototype) or a what-if operational tank in either winter or 2-tone camouflage.