1/144 Morser Karl mit Munitionsschlepper auf Panzer IV (Set of 2) (Plastic model) - Dragon

1/144 Morser Karl mit Munitionsschlepper auf Panzer IV (Set of 2) (Plastic model) - Dragon
Another reissue from Dragon's back catalogue!

This time you get the Morser Karl & Munitionsschlepper auf Panzer IV + Plus bonus Flat Car and Track Sections!

Release Date: February 2020

Price: @$40USD

https://www.hlj.com/1-144-scale-ww-ii-german-morser-karl-mit-munitionsschlepper-auf-panzer-iv-panzer-gray-dark-yellow-2pcs-dra14135s

1/144 VK501 Series Munitionsschlepper & PaK 43 - KG144

1/144 VK501 Series Gepanzerter Munitionsschlepper & PaK 43

Gepanzerter Munitionsschlepper

The next KG144 release is an item  subject to many a debate and conflicting texts on the Internet, in part due to a number of companies being commissioned to produce designs, and also evolving those designs.

This configuration is based on various sources, and reflects closely the original brief issued to the Germand and Czech manufacturers for a pure munitions schlepper. It is presented here with a PaK 43 cannon.

In January 1943 the lesser known company “Weserhutte” was asked to design an armoured ammunition carrier (VK 501) for the Werhmacht. It was planned that mass production should start in 1944, however conflicting demand for resources on the German industrial war machine caused this to be delayed.

Designed to have a weigh 6 tons, it utilised the proven 6-Cylinder Maybach HL42 providing 100HP and a speed of 65 Kilometres per hour, transverse mounted. The armour thickness was specified at 20 millimetres, and was capable of stopping a 7.62 round.

The payload capacity was 1,000 kilograms providing a range of options:

- 10 Boxes (1500 rounds) of 7.62mm Ammunition

- 32 Boxes (96 rounds) of 8cm Mortar Rounds

- 15 boxes (45 Rounds) of 7.5cm s.IG Ammunitions

- 22 Rounds of 15cm s.IG Ammunition

Production was approved late 1943 for: 6000 vehicles for the infantry, and 2000 for the artillery.


PAK-43 (Panzerabwehrkanone 43)

At the time Rheinmetall was developing the Flak 41, the Krupp's company was also competing for production orders with their 8.8 cm Gerät 42 proposal. The Krupps design was not accepted for production as an anti-aircraft gun, however development continued and resulted in the dreaded 8.8 cm PaK 43 anti-tank gun and 8.8 cm KwK 43 tank guns.

Pak 43 (abbreviation of Panzerabwehrkanone 43) used a new single axle mount with the gun much closer to the ground, making it far easier to hide and also harder to hit. It was had a much stronger and more angled armour shield to provide better protection for gunners.

All versions this design were able to penetrate about 200 mm of armour at 1,000 m, allowing it to defeat the armour of any contemporary tank.

The standard armament of the Tiger II, the KwK 43 tank gun, was essentially the PaK 43 externally modified to fit into a turret.
Total production: 2,098 (from 1943 to 1945)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8.8_cm_Flak_18/36/37/41#Pak_43_and_KwK_43

Available: October 2011  from KG144@CGD eBay Store
Price: $19.90

1/144 Missiles and Pilots - By OzMods

OzMods have been for a while been producing a range of interesting munitions options in 1/144, and it always surprises me when people complain that there are not enough of "Type X , or Type Y" munitions. It always strikes me that OzMods have options to suit most aircraft from WWII to the Modern times.

There are over 80x different items in their list from $1.50 !

The Allied & Russian Pilot sets come with 2x figures in each, the generic set has seated figures.

The weapons packs vary as to the number of munitions in each set but typically come in 2x or 4x packs.

For their size, I think the figures are well done, one primed and painted the detailing will leap out (I will include HD shots below), although the generic figures are a little blander. I don't this this should be a huge issues as are meant to be sat inside cockpits, the standing figures which are for showing externally to the aircraft in dioramas etc are therefore much more detailed.

The weapons are well formed and surprisingly detailed, these should again be more evident when painted and washes applied or lines filled.

As these are resin accessories, there is a little flash here and there that needs to be trimmed also you get the occasional dink or glitch.

http://www.layuqwam.com.au/Ozmods/Resin.html

HD Images:
Pilots: 01 02 03 04 05
USA Weapons: 01 02 03 04
Russian Weapons: 01 02

1:144 Pak 43 L/71 & Munitionswagen 38(d) - CGD

CGD have issues a late ware/panzer'46 items to their range of items.
In the form of a pre-painted combination of PAK 43 L/71 with Munitionswagen 38(d)

Why 38(d) and not (t), interesting point...?
Although ministry plans indicated that components of the 38(t) should be used for cost saving the two main companies (Mann & Ardelt) in the competition to produce the 38(d) Waffen Trager did not use the standard 38(t) chassis (as per Achtung Panzer and PanzerTracts Reference sources)

Available: Now
Price@ $15 USD (both items, +supplies)
Source: Combat-Group-Dynamix
More: DivisionPanzer144