Rheinmetall 12.8cm K44 L/55 High Velocity Anti-Tank Gun

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

Background

Direct from Shanghai, we have just received an early sample of GreatWall’s brand new 1:35 scale Rheinmetall 12.8cm K44 L/55 High Velocity Anti-Tank Gun, otherwise known as the Pak 44.

The 12.8cm Pak 44 was developed as a result of German experiences on the Eastern Front after encountering the Soviet 122mm gun. The 12.8cm size was chosen largely due to available tooling used for naval guns, but this design had nothing in common with the 12.8cm Flak 40 gun.

Short-range performance was similar to the dreaded 88mm anti-tank gun, but the 12.8cm gun maintained its performance over greater distances.

Production of the Pak 44 was limited, with only around 50 being initially manufactured as artillery pieces and mounted on a variety of existing carriages, including French and Russian designs. Around 100 additional guns were produced later. The Pak 44 was also fitted to the Jagdtiger.

F i r s t L o o k

GreatWall from China has now released the 12.8cm Pak 44 as an injection moulded plastic kit. The gun is depicted on a German six-wheeled carriage that features an interesting firing position in which the wheels swing upward to permit the cruciform firing platform to sit on the ground.

GreatWall’s 1:35 scale Rheinmetall 12.8cm K44 L/55 High Velocity Anti-Tank Gun comprises 212 parts in grey plastic plus two metal springs, a modest photo-etched fret and a length of soft wire.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

Moulding quality is excellent, with no flash, narrow sprue attachments and ejector pin marks placed on the inside surface of parts wherever possible. All the major parts of the model are moulded in grey plastic, including the shields, the barrel and the perforated muzzle brake. The barrel and brake are supplied in two pieces each, so some care will be required when aligning the parts to minimize any join seams. The parts for the plastic gun shield are quite thin.

The big pressed wheels are broken down into a main part plus one half of a tyre.

The gun itself is beautifully detailed. The recoil/recuperator cylinders are moulded as single parts, but instructions are supplied to modify these if the modeller wishes to pose the barrel in an elevated position.

The firing base and wheels may be assembled in either travelling or firing mode.

A small photo-etched fret offers detail parts, and the rear suspension benefits from the installation of real springs.

GreatWall has now supplemented the basic kit with the option of a multimedia upgrade. This provides a photo-etched shield with metal spacers; and a turned metal barrel and muzzle brake.

GreatWall Models' 1:35 scale 12.8cm Pak 44 looks great in the box, and should make up into an impressive model straight from the box. The multi-media upgrade will be worthwhile too.

Thanks to Great Wall Hobby via Guido Hopp for the sample.
Great Wall Hobby products are available in the UK from The Airbrush Company Limited