1/700 Scale WW2 German Army Dicker Max Tank Destroyer.
Contains 10 highly detailed tanks.
Contains:- 10x Dicker Max Tank Destroyers
Dicker Max Tank Destroyer
The
10.5 cm K gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette ("10.5 gun on armoured self-propelled mount") was a prototype self-propelled gun used by
Nazi Germany during
World War II. Although it was originally designed as a
Schartenbrecher ("bunker buster") for use against the French
Maginot Line defences, following the
defeat of France it was evaluated for use as a tank destroyer on the Eastern Front.The 10.5 cm K (gp.Sfl.) was built on a heavily modified
Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. E chassis with the turret removed and an open-topped superstructure added to house the main gun. The forward glacis plate was of 50 millimetres (2.0 in) face-hardened armour at 15° from the vertical while the sides were 20 millimetres (0.79 in) thick. The vehicle's most curious feature were armored compartments provided in the rear of the vehicle to protect the loaders against attack from aircraft. Similarly the ammunition bins holding 26 rounds for the main gun had thin armored covers on top. Another oddity was the fake driver's compartment on the right side of the vehicle that matched the real one projecting forward from the front superstructure on the left.
Although the main gun was intended to engage enemy armoured fighting vehicles it could only traverse 8° to the left and right, depress 15° and elevate 10°. A
muzzle brake was fitted to reduce recoil forces and a travel lock was fitted on the front deck to secure the gun during movement. For self-defense the crew carried three 9 mm machine pistols with 576 rounds of ammunition. A
Selbstfahrlafetten-Zielfernrohr (Sfl.Z.F.) 1 sight was used by the gunner, a binocular
Turmspähfernrohr (T.S.F.) periscope was fitted for use by the commander,and each loader was provided with a binocular
Scherenfernrohr on a pivoting arm.
Throughout most of its development it was known as
10 cm K. (Pz.Sfl.IVa), but was redesignated
10.5 cm K (gp.Sfl.) on 13 August 1941, and was also colloquially known as
Dicker Max ("Thick" or "Fat" Max).
In the prototype vehicles the V-12
Maybach HL120 engine of the Panzer IV was replaced by a lighter Inline-6 Maybach HL66P engine. Production vehicles probably would have used the suspension and running gear of the
Panzerkampfwagen III as it offered increased maneuverability due to a shorter length of track in contact with the ground, less rolling resistance, softer springs and greater deflection of the suspension.
Cleaning Information
Some part cleanup will be necessary. The 3D printing process uses a waxy substance to support certain part features during the printing process. Although the parts are cleaned by Shapeways, some waxy residue may remain. It can be safely removed with water and a mild aqueous detergent like "Simple Green" using an old, soft toothbrush, Q-tips or pipe cleaners. During the printing process, liquid resin is cured by ultraviolet light. Microscopic bits of resin may remain uncured.
Let your parts sit in direct sunlight for a few hours to fully cure the resin.
Water-based acrylic paints meant for plastics is strongly recommended. Other paints, especially enamels, may not cure on Frosted Detail 3D-printed plastics.
Use dedicated model sprue cutters to remove parts to minimise the risk of damage to parts.
Please take a look at my other items.
Painting tips and preparation