GBX139: 7.5cm Fallschirmjager Tank-Hunter Platoon

Although they only have a handful of anti-tank guns, the newly-equipped Fallschirmjäger have been issued the latest 7.5cm PaK40. This powerful gun is often mistaken for an '88' by fearful Allied tankers.

Development of the PaK 40 began in 1939, with both Krupp and Rheinmetall developing designs for testing and adoption. Initially the weapons development was slow, but priority was soon bumped up after Operation Barbarossa in 1941 with the appearance of heavy Soviet armour like the KV-1. The first Rheinmetall guns rushed off the production line in November 1941. The gun retained many features of the lighter 5cm PaK 38 gun.  

It had a muzzle brake to reduce recoil, a double skin shield for added protection of the breech, and torsion-bar suspension for motor towing. The trail retained the tubular arms of the PaK 38 design, but were made of steel for added strength rather than the aluminium of the PaK 38. The PaK 40 remained the standard German heavy anti-tank gun until the end of the war, and was also supplied to Germany’s allies such as Finland and Hungary.

By 1943 the PaK 40, alongside the 5cm PaK 38, formed the bulk of the German anti-tank artillery. About 23,500 pieces were produced, and a further 6,000 more were used to arm Marder tank hunters.
   
The weapon was effective against almost every Allied tank until the end of the war, with the exception of the Soviet IS-2 and the American M26 Pershing.

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:

• 4x 7.5cm Guns

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These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted