They did capture at least 1 T-28E, but I haven’t seen anything about hem uparmouring earlier versions that were captured.
Well, I do believe the T-28 at Parola is one of the Finnish uparmored models, or at the very least recieved some additional plates on the turret
And pictures of the upgrade in general seem to be uncommon
I am interested in the KV-1B modifications though, I had been under the impression that the Finns didn’t make any changes to the armor scheme?
I don’t believe the armor added would be as extensive as the Niki as they had so mamy T-28’s and not enough parts to keep them all up at the same time. Many groups had to essentially shelve the vehicle until command could get them supplies and tell them where they were needed.
The few notes on the BT’s shine some light on this as the majority of captured Soviet equipment was so poorly kept that they feasible couldn’t keep 1 vehicle running with 50 spare vehicles as everything was either warped, cracked, missing, or jery rigged to barely function. This wasn’t just a BT issue but a common theme of soviet vehicles that were captured.
Minor improvements to the KV-1B like additional storage boxes, a turret neck V shaped armor piece like that found in the KV-1A which also lacked the neck armor. You actually find a few minor differences that Finland added to make the vehicles easier to fix or work on as they were the sole heavies of the army aside from the T-28’s
Even the T34-75 in Parola still features the remnants of its Finnish gun collar over the Soviet model since they replaced the 85mm with the Panzer IV 75mm.
I just recall it being mentioned on the Jaeger Platoon website, which most confusingly almost seems to refer to them as T-28Es
Simple thing, the KV-1B in game is an early model before the Fins modified it with their own things. Even the version in game is missing the forward light on the hull which lacks the Finnish armor cover for it. Its one of the most unique finnish modifications that you see only on their vehicles. I planned on making a suggestion for the Late KV-1B to be added to Finland but honestly the fact that gaijin probably wouldn’t add it has kinda killed my push to finish the siggestion.
In game missing the turret neck armor and the front road light. Additionally its missing the spare turret handles on the rear.
Comparing the image of the KV-1E before it was captured its easy to see some of the changes but im going off topic.
But the Fins weren’t strangers to modifying their vehicles so they were easier to work on and live in.
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I see what you mean though, the turret ring is actually a pretty reliable killspot for the KV-1E/B, so I’d certainly want to see this upgrade ingame if possible, would help add some Finnish flair to it.
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Eh, id rather the current KV-1B be left as is. That way the actual Finnish KV-1B can go to Finland at 4.3, slightly better armor so .3 increase. Most of all it means Finland could have both of their KV’s.
Again unfortunately my motivation to make the post is all but gone, if anyone wants the info i have I’ll send everything i have. Maybe ill do it one day but i just don’t want to since i feel gaijin would deny it.
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I mean I don’t think Gaijin would deny it, they only denied the other Finnish KV-1 suggestion I recall you doing because there wasn’t any evidence to support it actually entering Suomi service. And considering the support for other uparmored Finnish vehicles such as the T-26, StuG, and the T-50 in this suggestion, I’m sure people will be happy to support.
Eh, that one was fair but considering their stance and the times I’ve been told by Smin that the KV-1B will not ever go to Finland has discouraged me. I may eventually finish the suggestion but i just dont have the will.
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It’s alright, I do feel like I’ve seen one image, but I might just be misremembering things.
Ive tried looking, there may be a armored version with a unique design but i feel we would’ve seen it. I do wonder if the T-50’s ever got the concrete armor like some T-34’s were tried with. I doubt it given their role as Infantry support units.
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I feel like the Soviet t-50 would have gotten an armor upgrade if it weren’t for the fact that only 69 (nice) ever existed, I’m honestly kind of surprised the finns managed to capture one considering that they were so rare.
Well the Fins did manage to encounter a KV-2 when they were becoming rare. They dealt with it by place 10kg of explosive on the back of the turret at night after beating the machine guns until the couldn’t fire.
Only photo of the KV is the roof since it was blown to hell.
The Finnish front was difficult place for tanks and the Soviets didn’t have time to develop new more effective ways to use tanks in defence. As a result tanks were often used in very small groups. Two T-50s are known to have been operated and lost there.
- This tank stuck on roadside somewhere on the long road between Sortavala and Petroskoi (Petrozavodsk). Due to it’s good external condition, it is a likely candidate as Niki.
- Non-photographed tank at Petroskoi. Finns also recovered the KV-1B from there, most likely via railway.
Remember the total number of completed T-50s was 69 hulls and only 48 with armament. In addition to Niki and the second survivor in Russia, about 10 different T-50s can be found from internet.
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There are definitely some gaps in Niki’s history.
First photos of the tank are from 5.2.1942.
The winter paints are also said to from spring 1942, though I haven’t found them from SA-kuva or other proper sources.
Next photos are from from parade at 1.10.1942.
From 1943 there is nothing. We have to go all the way to 30.1.1944 and after that blinding smoke grenade tests at 18.4.1944.
That exact same camo from 1944 remains at least until 1945. I think I have seen only one other photo of Niki with the white and blue roundel. The paint was still the same from what I can remember.
I don’t know where to look for old photos from the museum. At least 2006-2024 it has remained like this.
Few interesting photos from Parola. The last two also include Niki. Unfortunately there is no date, though all other photos from the same photographer in the archive are from 1960s and 70s.
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Do you know what the remaining hulls without armaments were used for??
Some of them became noncombat vehicles. If I remember correctly, some of them were just empty hulls and were used as armored sledges or as bunkers.
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At 0:47 there is a post-war photo of Niki at an unknown location. The absence of headlights hints the vehicle hasn’t been in use for some time already. Few barely visible paint lines seem similar to the 1944 scheme.
The colour in these photos seems to fit perfectly between the 1960s dark green and the sand like worn colour of present day. I don’t think the museum painted it during all those years.
Spoiler
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