KV-8 – Soviet Flamethrower Heavy Tank
Bring a specialist Red Army assault vehicle to your collection with the KV-8, a flamethrower variant of the formidable KV heavy tank. Developed during the Second World War, it combined the imposing armour and unmistakable silhouette of the KV series with close-range incendiary firepower. Its unusual armament earns this model the SPECIAL WEAPONS badge.
Historical Role
The KV-8 was designed to support Soviet infantry and armoured formations during assaults against fortified positions, defensive strongpoints and entrenched troops on the Eastern Front. Its flamethrower could deliver a powerful psychological and tactical effect at close range, while the tank’s heavy armour offered protection as it approached defended areas. KV-8 vehicles were employed within specialist flamethrower tank units rather than serving as conventional heavy gun tanks.
Distinctive Appearance
The model retains the characteristic KV profile: a broad tracked hull, substantial armour, high superstructure and angular turret. Although the main weapon resembles the larger gun of a standard KV-1, the KV-8’s turret installation concealed a smaller 45 mm gun behind an outer sleeve. The paired gun and flamethrower arrangement creates a subtle but historically significant difference for an informed Soviet armour collection.
Variant Differences
Developed from the KV-1, the KV-8 replaced the standard 76.2 mm main gun with a 45 mm weapon and an ATO-series flamethrower mounted in the turret. The smaller gun was fitted with a disguising sleeve to preserve the appearance of the original armament. This conversion allowed the heavily armoured KV chassis to perform a dedicated close-assault role without immediately advertising its specialist equipment.
Modelling Uses
The KV-8 is ideal for Eastern Front dioramas, Soviet armoured columns, fortified-position scenes and specialist vehicle collections. It also makes a distinctive addition to model railways, tabletop wargaming displays and collections focused on unusual Second World War engineering. Multiple scales allow it to work equally well as a compact background vehicle or a detailed centrepiece.
Fun Fact
The KV-8’s false outer gun sleeve was intended to make its 45 mm weapon resemble the KV-1’s much larger 76.2 mm gun, helping the specialist tank retain the familiar appearance of a standard heavy tank.
Available Scales
1:87, 1:76, 1:72, 1:48 and 1:35.
Finish Options
Cleaned Resin Grey, Grey Primed - Ready for Painting, and Historical Base Colour.
Very small details may vary slightly depending on the scale selected.
