KV-4/5 hypothetical production

IOTL, the monstrous KV-4 and KV-5 tanks were rightfully cancelled after Barbarossa, and in any ATL where they somehow made into service before then, their fate would probably be the same as the KV-2.

That being said, I have two questions about the production of these monstrosities:
-How many could be produced a year even in 'ideal' conditions (urgent priority yet in peacetime with no disruptions)
-Just how difficult would it be to move their hundred-ton bulks around the Soviet Union?
 
Hrm :s Production would be slow, they would probably be maintenance nightmares and would probably serve better as the T-35 did by being showboats. As for moving them, there's no bridge that will take them, they will rip up the roads and they would probably be maintenance hogs.

Whilst nice on paper, they are basically white elephants.
 

Deleted member 1487

They'd be the Soviet equivalent of the Maus tank. Who knows how many could be made, probably dozens or hundreds if Stalin really wanted, but moving them would be like moving rail artillery....across roads. Goodbye roads.
 
What about the more realistic possibility that a few prototypes are built and then hastily are sent to battle in a moment of desperation?
 
What about the more realistic possibility that a few prototypes are built and then hastily are sent to battle in a moment of desperation?
The prototypes act essentially as somewhat mobile fortifications and tear up a decent number of German tanks before suffering mechanical failures.

Hitler freaks and demands rapid development of German super heavy tanks to counter the Soviets.
 
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The only way I can see them being used is perhaps if they are built in Leningrad before / during the German invasion and X Number of them are being built and / or being tested at the Artillery Scientific Test Range then near the City

Still there during the German invasion and when the Germans invest the city and they are subsequently used in the defence of the city with mixed results.
 

Deleted member 1487

The only way I can see them being used is perhaps if they are built in Leningrad before / during the German invasion and X Number of them are being built and / or being tested at the Artillery Scientific Test Range then near the City

Still there during the German invasion and when the Germans invest the city and they are subsequently used in the defence of the city with mixed results.
Like the German or French super-heavies, it has the issue of being big and slow and therefore a prime target for air or artillery strikes or direct fire heavy guns like the 105mm K18, which was sometimes used in a direct fire anti-tank role like the 88mm FLAK.

I guess this leads to the Lowe (least crazy of the german superheavies) being put into production.
Not necessarily. If they prove to be super easy to kill they might well have the opposite effect.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_2C
This did not inspire a German equivalent.
 
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Like the German or French super-heavies, it has the issue of being big and slow and therefore a prime target for air or artillery strikes or direct fire heavy guns like the 105mm K18, which was sometimes used in a direct fire anti-tank role like the 88mm FLAK.

Probably their first and last use in such a scenario will be as semi barely mobile bunkers and the whole concept will be as you suggest rudely abused.
 

Deleted member 1487

Probably their first and last use in such a scenario will be as semi barely mobile bunkers and the whole concept will be as you suggest rudely abused.
Like the Maginot Line bunkers they'd find that an 88 to the face is going to put you out of action.
 
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