GPM PaK 40

[Jim Nunn]

GPM PaK 40 75mm L48 (Panzerabwehrkanone 40)

Background:

The PaK 40 75 mm L48 was released to the German army in late 1941 and quickly became the standard Anti Tank Gun until the end of the war. The 75mm L48 was a relativity high velocity gun and could knock out all of the US and British tanks and most of the Russian tanks. With its low profile it was well suited for ambushing enemy armor. The 75mm L48 gun was used on several different vehicles and appears to be the most common gun (over 23,000) produced by the Germans.

The Kit

The model is published by GPM in 1:25 scale. The kit consists of two complete models one in the pre 1943 dark gray and the other in the later dark tan color. As you can see the models are weathered. My first impression of the kit was that the weathering was over done however when finished the model has the appearance of a snow camouflaging that has worn off,

Each model is on two pages of 67 lb (180 gr) paper and has 290 parts not including the wire parts. There were no fit problems and I would rate the difficulty of the model at 4 on a scale of 5. This is due to the relatively high number of small parts. As for accuracy to the prototype I would rate it at level 4 on a scale of 5. Assembly diagrams are on 3 pages and are clear and concise.

As for instructions they are in Polish note the cover of the model states that English and German instructions are on GPM’s web site, however I was unable to find them.

I showed the model at the IPMS-OC meeting on June 20th and it took first place in the paper model category.

[CharlieC]

Great looking PaK model - congratulations on the prize.

One of the advantages the PaK had was that it was cheap to produce especially compared to the 88mm.

I didn't know the PaK was used for indirect fire - the red and white sighting poles suggest it was though.

Regards,

Charlie

[romfolmar]

Originally Posted by Jim Nunn

GPM PaK 40 75mm L48 (Panzerabwehrkanone 40)







As for instructions they are in Polish note the cover of the model states that English and German instructions are on GPM’s web site, however I was unable to find them.

.

You can contact GPM by email from there link and get English instructions sent to you.
I have done that in past with other model.

[dansls1]

Nice model and congrats on the award

[boosed]

Congratulations, Jim.

It's a superb model and the award was fully deserved.

This is another of those paper models that is essentially indistinguishable from the full-scale original. I greatly admire your skill and craftsmanship.

Don

[B-Manic]

Congratultions, well deserved recognition of your wonderful build.

~Douglas

[Gil]

Hi Jim,

Congratulations on placing first in the paper category! The tread tracks in the sand base is a very effective.
One question I have, though, is do you think your work has influenced any of the plastic medium modelers to begin experimenting with paper? You've been showing there for a couple of years and I was wondering if it is beginning to have an effect...,

+Gil

[Jim Nunn]

Originally Posted by Gil

One question I have, though, is do you think your work has influenced any of the plastic medium modelers to begin experimenting with paper? You've been showing there for a couple of years and I was wondering if it is beginning to have an effect...,

+Gil

Gil,

That's a good question. The other paper modelers in the club include David Oakamura, Bob Penikas and JO Sutton and Dan (AKA Delta models) also shows up (Peter Crow we are waiting for you) I’m the newbie there. As you know these are well known paper modelers and all of them have influenced the club. The reason the IPMS Nationals had a paper category in 2007 was due to Bob’s and David’s efforts.

Most of the club members have shown an interest in building a paper model and several have. These tend to be the kit bashers and scratch builders. The modelers that want to finish a model in a weekend tend to roll their eyes when you tell them that a simple model has 300 parts. Most importantly they consider paper modeling on an equal level with plastics.

Jim Nunn

[Jim Nunn]

Originally Posted by CharlieC

I didn't know the PaK was used for indirect fire - the red and white sighting poles suggest it was though.

Charlie,

You are correct Volume 24 of the Shaffer Military History series states that the maximum elevation of the PaK 40 was 22 degrees certainly not high enough for indirect fire.
I did a little research and most models show these as sighting sticks. However I found only one photo of a gun in the field that had what appeared to be sighting sticks. In the end I just thought that the model needed a little color so I drew these up and added them to the model. A little bragging here they are 1.2 mm rolled paper parts and not painted wire.

Jim Nunn

[KCStephens]

Jim,
She's a beauty! Great job and congratulations on the award.