The resin model of the PaK 44 anti-tank gun

The model of the anti-tank gun on the diorama was made of resin in 1:35 scale from the Cromwell Models kit. The exception is the metal-turned barrel from the model Jagdtiger tank destroyer. The scene depicted in the diorama is a modeller's fantasy.

The gun was designed and manufactured by Krupp. The Pak 44 guns were being produced in 1944. About 50 copies were produced on the original chassis. The rest, about 100-150 copies, were installed in the Jagdtiger SPGs and in towed guns, but on different chassis.

The ammunition used for this gun was two-piece, consisting of separate parts: a projectile and an explosive. The explosive could be used in three different sizes. If the cannon was being used as regular artillery then was being used light and medium explosive. The largest size of explosive was being used for anti-tank fire.

The armor-piercing projectile fired from this cannon with the largest explosive could penetrate a sheet metal 200 mm (⅔ in) thick which was tilted at an angle of 30 degrees, from a distance of 2,000 m (2187 yd). From a distance of 3,000 m (3281 yd), it was able to penetrate 173 mm (6⅘ in) thick armor. The armor-piercing projectile had a weight of 28.3 kg (62⅖ lb) and its initial speed was 950 m/s (1039 yd/s).

For comparison with the list below: the same gun on the Jagdtiger vehicle weighed 7,000 kg (15,432 lb). It follows that the chassis itself weighed more than 3,000 kg (6614 lb).

Specifications (the Pak 44 with Krupp carriage):

• Mass: 10,160  kg (22,400 lb),
• Caliber: 12.8 cm (5 in)
• Barrel length: 7.02 m - 55 calibers (23 ft),
• Maximum firing range: 24,410 m (26,695 yd).

A diorama with the models of the PaK 44 anti-tank gun and the Sd.Kfz. 8 artillery tractor

The resin model of the PaK 44 anti-tank gun on the Rheinmetall chassis

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12.8_cm_Pak_44

9 March 2020