Barcode: 0 89195 86445 1
Case Pack: 36
Box Size: 7.5" x 11.4" x 1.8"
Carton Size: 0.104 cbm
Despite the output of Germany’s massive armaments industry, the
thirst for more weapons throughout WWII proved insatiable. One solution
was to employ captured weapons, and this is exactly what the Wehrmacht
did with the French Canon de 75 modèle 1897 field gun. Hundreds of
these cannons manufactured by Schneider were captured during the Polish
and French campaigns in 1939-40, and were pressed into German service
as howitzers.
However, faced with well-armored Soviet tanks in 1941, there was a
desperate need for antitank weapons. Until more 7.5cm PaK 40 cannons
could be produced, an expedient solution was to place gun barrels from
the French Canon de 75 modèle 1897 onto the more modern carriage of a
PaK 38. Fitted with a muzzle brake, the resulting weapon was called the
7.5cm PaK 97/38. This hybrid weapon could be used in the antitank role
because it primarily fired HEAT rounds, which didn’t rely on velocity.
A total of 3700+ PaK 97/38 cannons were produced in 1942-43, and it
soldiered on until late in the war.
Dragon has produced its own 1/35 scale version of this important
German antitank weapon. As a Premium Edition kit, it offers numerous
improvements over the previously released kit of the cannon. The gun
itself is better detailed, with a shield that possesses a true-to-scale
thickness, and movable gun trails. Another innovation is a complete gun
crew offered in vivid action poses. They are supported by various
accessories such as realistic-looking aluminum ammo rounds, and Gen2
weapons and personal equipment. This new kit is ready to take on any
type of enemy armor, and constitutes an instant diorama.
