PaK 97/38 AT Gun with crew (4 figures) 1:35 Italeri 96460

Plastic military model kit: PaK 97/38 AT Gun with crew (4 figures) 1:35 Italeri 96460

The model kit: PaK 97/38 AT Gun with crew (4 figures) in 1:35 scale from Italeri is an excellent proposition for model-making enthusiasts and history buffs of World War II. This detailed set allows for the recreation of the German anti-tank gun that played a significant role on the battlefields in the 1940s.

Model features:

• Scale: 1:35
• Manufacturer: Italeri
• Catalog number: 96460
• Contents of the set: model of the PaK 97/38 gun and 4 crew figures

History and use of the PaK 97/38:

The PaK 97/38 was a German anti-tank gun used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. Its design was based on the barrel of the French 75 mm Mle 1897 gun, which was captured after the invasion of France. This allowed the Germans to gain a quick and relatively inexpensive solution that equipped anti-tank units with weapons capable of fighting modern Soviet tanks such as the T-34 and KV-1.

The PaK 97/38 gun was mounted on the carriage of the German 5 cm Pak 38 gun and equipped with a Swiss Solothurn muzzle brake. This enabled it to fire captured ammunition from France and Poland. Despite certain limitations, such as low muzzle velocity and short effective range, this gun was able to penetrate the side armor of KV series tanks and effectively combat the T-34 using cumulative ammunition.

Development and usage:

After the invasion of the USSR in 1941, German units encountered new Soviet tanks that were resistant to the existing German anti-tank guns. In response to this demand, the PaK 97/38 was introduced into service in 1942 and remained in use until the end of the war. Despite moderate effectiveness and strong recoil, this gun was widely used, as illustrated by the number of rounds fired: 37,800 cumulative shells in 1942 and 371,600 in 1943.

The gun was also used by other Axis armies, including the Finnish army during the Continuation War, where 46 pieces were upgraded to PaK 97/38 standards. The Italian army designated it as Cannone da 75/39, and the Hungarian 2nd Army had 43 such guns in November 1942.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. To assemble, 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.