German 75 mm PaK 40 Anti-Tank Gun
Matchbox/Revell 1:76 Scale Artillery Review
The picture shows a conversion of the PaK 40, representing a hypothetical towed 7.5 cm L.48 PaK 39 which had a slightly longer barrel, and no muzzle break. The conversion is a simple matter of cutting and sanding the muzzle break off the PaK 40. However, the 7.5 cm PaK 39 was never deployed in this role.
Contents
- Afrika Korps Infantry
- BMW R75 Motorcycle with Sidecar
- Sd.Kfz. 11 Half-Track and Crew
- 7.5 cm L.46 PaK 40 Anti-Tank Gun
Evaluation
Excellent choice of subject. The PaK 40 was one of the most effective German anti-tank guns of the war, and it lends itself to a number of interesting conversion projects.
Scale model with good detail. Hinges, rivet heads, and working parts of the elevating and breech mechanism are nicely sculpted.
Easy to build, only 17 parts.
The muzzle brake can be drilled open very easily.
The PaK 40 is a partially working model, the barrel can be raised or lowered, and aimed to either side. The gun trails swing into the towing position, and they have a more secure fit than the trails of the Airfix PaK 40.
The kit is designed to show the PaK 40 in tow behind its tractor. A driver and six gun crew figures are seated inside the vehicle. The Airfix kit is the better choice for a PaK 40 in action, it contains four crew members firing the weapon.
The model has solid steel wheel, compared to the spoked steel wheels of the Airfix PaK 40. The gun trails are of simpler design, but the breech and recoil slider are more accurately modelled than those of the Airfix gun.
Compatible with Airfix, Fujimi, Nitto, and VAC-U-CAST.
Modellers should not be mislead about the fact that the vehicles in this boxed set are actually 1:76 scale Matchbox re-releases.
The lower gun shield is much too far forward of the axle. This problem may be corrected by cutting the supports back by 3 mm.
The wheel hubs need to be drilled open for a better fit, otherwise they stick out too far. Similarly, the gun cradle required drilling to accept the barrel.
The original PaK 40 had a laminated shield consisting of two armour plates riveted together, but the model has a solid shield. The problem could be corrected by engraving or painting a thin line in the top edge of the shield.
The Revell re-release of the Matchbox PaK 40 offers excellent value for money, it includes a rare model of the Sd.Kfz. 11 half-track with driver and crew figures, a BMW R75 motorcycle with sidecar, and a large diorama base. The Matchbox PaK 40 differs from the Airfix model of the same in a number of ways, and it converts well to a PaK 39.