German 88mm Flak 18 Anti-Tank Artillery Gun

Diecast construction Fully assembled Detachable wheel assemblies working hand crank milled aluminium gun barrel Comes with eight figures including Erwin Rommel Comes with decorative display base Originally developed as an anti-aircraft gun the 8.8cm FLugzeugAbwehrKanone “Flak” was first employed in the anti-tank gun role in 1936 when the German Condor Legion was testing out its equipment during the Spanish Civil War. Amazingly German war planners had designed the gun as an AA weapon with a heavy cruciform platform and central fire control operation not as a multi-purpose anti-tank gun with proper anti-tank sights. Nevertheless its capability was seen and quietly noted by commanders operating in the field. While the gun was occassionally in the anti-tank gun role during the Polish and French campaigns it wasn’t until the Afrika Korps joined battle in Cyrenaica with the British Eighth Army that the “88” really showed its prowess as a tank killer. Here the tactical situation was such that it was possible to deploy the guns in their anti-aircraft role in positions that would allow them to be re-trained as anti-tank guns. Moreover their range and penetrating power enabled their crews to dispose of British tanks long before the enemy was close enough to engage the guns with their own two- or six-pounder guns. Waltersons’ rendition of the flak gun comes with four wheels and a tow hook so that it can be attached to a Sd. Kfz. 7/1 prime mover to form a two-piece set. Both sets of wheels can be removed so that the gun mounted on a cruciform platform can be set up in a firing position. Gun elevates and fully traverses. Also comes with seven crewmen and Erwin Rommel figure.