German 15cm sFH18 heavy field howitzer for horse traction 1:72 First To Fight PL079

Plastic model kit: German heavy field howitzer 15cm sFH18 for horse traction 1:72 First To Fight PL079

The plastic model kit: German heavy field howitzer 15 cm sFH 18 for horse traction in 1:72 scale from First To Fight (PL079) is an excellent proposition for model-making enthusiasts and military history lovers. This detailed model represents one of the most important German howitzers used during World War II, known as "Immergrun" (from German "Evergreen").

Model features:

• Scale: 1:72
• Manufacturer: First To Fight
• Catalog number: PL079

History and significance of the 15 cm sFH 18:

The 15 cm sFH 18 howitzer was the primary heavy howitzer at the division level in the German army during World War II. It was designed as a successor to the older model from World War I, the 15 cm sFH 13, which was deemed insufficient. The new model was twice as heavy, had a 40% greater muzzle velocity, and a maximum range increased by 4.5 km. Thanks to the new carriage with split trails, the range of motion of the gun was also increased.

The sFH 18 was the first German artillery piece equipped with rocket ammunition, allowing for an extended range. It was also used in the self-propelled artillery gun schwere Panzerhaubitze 18/1, known as Hummel.

The sFH 18 was first used in combat by the Chinese National Revolutionary Army against the Imperial Japanese Army. Despite plans to purchase 240 guns, only 24 units were delivered by 1937 due to a lack of funds. On the Eastern Front, the sFH 18 proved to have too short a range compared to some Soviet guns. The Germans attempted to solve this problem by modifying the howitzers and introducing RAP ammunition, but these solutions were not precise enough. In the later stages of the war, howitzers captured by the Allies were used against the Germans.

After World War II, sFH 18 howitzers continued to be used by many countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, and Czechoslovakia. In Finland, 48 howitzers were purchased, which were modernized to fire 152 mm ammunition and were used until 2007.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. For assembly, separately sold modeling tools are needed (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.