German Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm Pak 43 Waffenträger (Dragon)

This is the Dragon 6728 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm Pak 43 Waffenträger’.

German Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm Pak 43 Waffenträger

History

This is a German design that reached only prototype status, but which is a fascinating subject nonetheless. The vehicle is the Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm PaK 43 Waffenträger.

The conceptual idea behind this weapon system was a self-propelled mount for the powerful but heavy 8.8cm antitank gun, as towed versions of this gun were too unwieldy for crews to move readily. Ardelt and Rheinmetall combined to build the first prototype and tests were conducted on this Ardelt I.

The vehicle’s engine was fitted at the front of the hull, which permitted the main armament – an 8.8cm L/71 cannon – to be fitted on the rear. It utilized a 38(t) chassis with four road wheels per side. An improved prototype (Ardelt II) was later produced by Ardelt and Krupp, but the end of the war intervened before production got off the ground.

Source: Dragon Website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Krupp Steyr Waffenträger (Trumpeter)

This is the Trumpeter 01598 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Krupp Steyr Waffenträger’.

German Krupp Steyr Waffenträger

History

On 19 April 1944 Krupp representatives visited Ardeltwerke in Eberwalde to discuss the design of the 8.8cm Pak 43 Kp auf Waffenträger. Ardelt was sent a second Pak 43 from series production. The Waffenträger with this gun presented a significant improvement and was completely satisfactory in firing and driving trials, completed by 15 January 1945.

During the meeting on development and production on 9 January 1945, the status of the Waffenträger 8.8cm Pak 43 was reported as: “In spite of using couriers to deliver suspension parts, only 2 are expected to be completed by 31 December 1944.

All means will be used in an attempt to obtain all of the suspension parts by the end of December. If this is achieved, a further 19 should be completed by 15 January 1945”.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German 8.8 cm PAK-43 Waffenträger (Trumpeter)

This is the Trumpeter 05550 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German 8.8cm PAK-43 Waffenträger’.

German 8.8 cm PAK-43 Waffenträger

History

On 19 April 1944 Krupp representatives visited Ardeltwerke in Eberwalde to discuss the design of the 8.8 cm PAK 43 Kp auf Waffenträger. Ardelt was sent a second PAK 43 from series production. The Waffenträger with this gun presented a significant improvement and was completely satisfactory in firing and driving trials.

During the meeting on development and production on 9 January 1945, the status of the Waffenträger 8.8 cm PaK 43 was reported as: In spite of using couriers to deliver suspension parts, only 2 are expected to be completed by 31 December 1944.

All means will be used in an attempt to obtain all of the suspension parts by the end of December. If this is achieved, a further 19 should be completed by 15 January 1945.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it