- Kit Reference: AF 35059
Reviewed by Bill Curtis
Initial assessment…
With the troops on the Eastern front asking for more and heavier Pak’s to combat the Russian armour the Germans came up with the Pak 43/41. This was a combination of the easily produced Pak 43. The trail legs from the FH 18, the wheels from the 15cm s FH and the carriage from modified stock items. This produced a formidable weapon which had one knocking out six T34 at a range of 3500m (3828yd) but for all this it was very unwieldy and its crew nicknamed it “Scheuntor” (Barn door).
Right enough of the history lesson, what do you get in the box? The kit contains 228 plastic parts in an olive drab colour, a sheet of etch brass consisting of eleven parts, an aluminium barrel, two short lengths of brass rod and two tyres in a black material (vinyl).
The centre piece is the metal barrel and the pre folded shield which are held apart with very small plastic spacer that will need cleaning up before fitting. The barrel has notches to locate the plastic breech and muzzle which is great but be careful of the orientation.
The gun carriage is well detailed as is the sight which comes from the leFH18 kit from the same manufacturer. The trails also have good bolt detail which can be positioned in firing or travel mode so you have a choose which to build.
Accuracy…
I have no plans of this weapon but several pictures and from comparison with these the kit looks pretty good.
Quality…
This is another great kit from AFV Club (even if not new), with crisp moulding and a minimum of ejector marks in the plastic parts, a turned aluminium barrel that is the centre piece of this kit, rubber tyres with tread and etch brass shields which are pre-folded.
Instructions…
The instruction booklet is printed in mono colour in A4 format comprising sixteen pages of detailed line drawings, parts identification, paint guide by manufacturer and three colour schemes. From the plain dark yellow, a yellow chassis and grey barrel to a tri colour grey/dark yellow/red brown. This should give ample scope to finish in your chosen scheme.
Decals…
None provided
Conclusions…
Overall a well detailed and dare I say, “lovely kit” that will add to any collection of artillery or German hardware. I would have like to see the brass shield spacers included in the kit but these can be purchased as a separate item AF 35073, as can the ammunition in set AF 35072.
Highly recommended
Bill C.