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KV-1 (ZiS-5)

KV-1 (ZiS-5)

USSR · Heavy tank · Rank 3

Battle Ratings

Arcade4.7
Realistic4.7
Simulator4.7

These are archived ratings; check the game for current values. The history below shows recorded ratings and announced changes.

Vehicle Overview

Nation
USSR
Class
Heavy tank
Rank
3
Acquisition Type
Tech Tree

View official War Thunder Wiki entry ↗

Battlefield Role

Control a lane with teammates guarding the flanks. Armor supports a position; it does not replace cover or a retreat route.

Strengths

Heavy firepower and armor can anchor a lane with teammate support against suitable opponents.

When to spawn

Choose it for a job your team needs. After a loss, try a different route rather than driving back into the same firing lane.

Common Mistakes

  • Repeating the same peek. Once an enemy has your range, move to another angle before firing again. A second shot from the same opening is easier to anticipate.
  • Firing without a retreat. Choose cover you can reach during the reload. Do not cross into an enemy firing lane just to finish a damaged target.

Survivability and Armor

Crew
5 persons

Protect the sides and rear, limit repeated exposure from one position and avoid assuming that a strongly armored plate protects the whole vehicle.

Keep exposed sides and the fighting compartment behind cover. Check the incoming round and impact angle in Protection Analysis before relying on the armor.

Ammunition

BR-350A (MD-5 fuze) · APHEBC

A practical anti-tank round when it can penetrate. Aim into the fighting compartment so the explosive filler can reach crew and modules.

OF-350M · HE

Use against exposed crews, aircraft where applicable and lightly protected targets. Avoid spending the shot on heavy frontal armor.

Sh-354T · Shrapnel

Use against lightly armored targets or exposed components. Avoid a frontal exchange with heavier armor.

BR-350SP · APBC

Use against armor and aim for crew or critical modules. A penetration alone may leave the enemy able to return fire.

BR-354P · APCR

Reserve for a flat armor plate your other rounds cannot penetrate. Avoid steep angles and aim directly at a crew member or critical module.

BR-350B (MD-8 fuze) · APHEBC

A practical anti-tank round when it can penetrate. Aim into the fighting compartment so the explosive filler can reach crew and modules.

D-350A · Smoke

Place smoke between the enemy and a crossing or retreat route. It blocks sight; it does not stop incoming fire.

Ready Rack and Carry Load

Maximum capacity
135 rounds

Carry enough for the route and resupply plan. A listed first-stage capacity alone does not establish a safe spawn load or prove that another rack is empty.

Mobility

Maximum forward speed
34 km/h
Maximum reverse speed
6 km/h
Power-to-weight ratio
12.9 hp/t
Engine power
600 hp
Weight
46.4 t

Top speed is not cross-country pace. Check the reverse route before taking a firing position.

Optics

Gunner

Night equipment
Unknown
Magnification
1.9×–3.5×

Commander

Night equipment
Unknown

Driver

Night equipment
Unknown

Armaments

Primary weapon
76 mm ZIS-5 cannon
Secondary weapons
7.62 mm DT machine gun (coaxial) · 7.62 mm DT machine gun
Reload
9 → 6.9 s

Economy

Crew training
13,000 SL
Expert crew
47,000 SL
Ace crew
330 GE
Ace crew research
280,000 RP
Reward multiplier · SL (AB/RB/SB)
60/100/100%
Reward multiplier · RP
136%
Total cost of modifications · RP
19,510 RP
Total cost of modifications · SL
32,100 SL

Battle Rating History

KV-1 (ZiS-5) · confirmed changes
DateGame modeBattle rating
No confirmed battle rating changes are recorded.
Archived rating records
Recorded snapshots
Date / sourceArcadeRealisticSimulator
October 8, 2026Site profile snapshot4.74.74.7
November 26, 2024Observed · Wiki archive ↗4.74.74.7
Sources and data checks

Vehicle data checked October 8, 2026. Crew optics checked October 22, 2026. Speeds use Realistic Battles values. Reload depends on crew skills and qualification; damage can reduce performance. Unknown equipment is not a confirmed absence.

Community discussion

KV-1 (ZiS-5) vehicle guide · 0 comments

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