Object 701 [USSR, HT-8]
Historical Reference:
The heavy tank “Object 701” was developed on the initiative of SKB-2 of the Chelyabinsk Kirov Plant in the period from July 1943 to February 1944. The first prototype of the “Object 701” tank No. 0 was manufactured in April 1944, and already in May–June the factory produced two more prototypes No. 1 and No. 2. Prototype No. 2 was armed with the 100 mm S-34 gun.
Its major advantages were: a barrel purging system after firing, convenient placement of the loader, unitary ammunition, a large onboard ammunition capacity of 41 rounds, and the absence of a muzzle brake. The tank’s armor was capable of withstanding frontal hits from German 75 mm and 88 mm armor-piercing shells. The prototype vehicles underwent extensive proving ground trials, which also revealed a number of design flaws, and in September 1944 the tanks were completely disassembled. Later, prototypes No. 5 and No. 6 were assembled from their hulls and turrets.
literally two and a half years after WG