SMK heavy tank

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During the competition to replace the expensive and unreliable T-35 multi-turreted heavy tank, the SMK was a contender designed by Josef Kotin's team at Leningrad's Kirovski Works. They faced opposition from N. Barykov at the Bolshevik Plant. Despite not learning much from the Spanish Civil War, a 1937 specification required the tank to withstand 45mm anti-tank guns point-blank and 75mm artillery fire at 1200m. In 1938, the number of turrets was reduced, and torsion bar suspension was introduced. Kotin designed a single-turret version called KV, which received Stalin's approval for two prototypes. The SMK's armament included a short 76.2mm gun in its central upper turret and a 45mm weapon in the front turret. During proving trials and operational combat at Finland's Battle of Summa, the SMK was part of the 91st Tank Battalion's 20th Heavy Tank Brigade. After being immobilized by a mine, it had to be abandoned for two months before recovery. In contrast, the KV design excelled in both trials and was accepted.