Description

     The self-propelled version of the 60cm siege mortar was ordered in June 1937. General Karl Becker of the Artillery was involved in the development; hence the name Karl was used to describe the gun. The driving trials were held at Unterlüss in May 1940. Delivery of the six production vehicles took place from November 1940 to August 1941. In February 1941, discussions commenced. Concerning increasing the range of the weapon, and in May 1942, 54cm barrels (Gerät 041 ) were ordered for the six vehicles. At a conference with Hitler in March 1943, it was stated that the first 54cm Gerät 041 would be delivered by June 1943, and the third, by mid-August. The 60cm and 54cm barrels appear to have been interchanged as required. In 1945, US forces captured vehicle II with a 60cm, and vehicle V with a 54cm. The prototype chassis, built in 1939, had eight road wheels with external swing arms. production Karl had eleven road wheels. Ammunition was transported in a tracked Munitionsschlepper converted from the PzKpfw IV, four rounds in each Schlepper. For the 60cm Gerät 040, the s Be Granate weighed 2.117 tons and the Ie Be Granate, 1.70 tons; in this case of the 54cm Gerät 041, 1.58 tons and 1.25 tons respectively. Maximum rate of the fire was 6 rph (rounds per hour ). Guns I-IV went to the Russian Front in July 1941 with the 628th schwere Artillerie Abteilung. They saw action at various sites, including Lemburg in that year. The best known action was against Sevastopol in 1942. Later, four guns were issued to the 833rd schwere Artillerie Abteilung (mot). These guns had the names Adam, Eve (1st Batt.) and Thor, Odin (2nd Batt.) The names for guns V and VI were Loki and Ziu. 

Kit Features: 

• Scale  :  1:35
  
• Item Type  :  Static Military Artillery
  
• Model Brief   : Length: 840 mm Width: 99.4mm Height:133mm
  
• Total Parts  :  1251pcs
  
• Metal Parts  :  Metal axis and springs
  
• Photo Etched Parts  :  95 X 100 mm for Karl Engine mesh cover and collar, another 75 X 46 mm for carrier handles
  
• Total Sprues  :  30pcs sprues plus lower hull, upper hull, 2 tracks and 8 sections railway
  
• Paint Schemes  :  Markings for Nr. III “Odin” 040, Nr. IV “Thor”040/041, Nr. V “Loki” 040/041 and Nr. VI “Ziu” 040, from 1941. in overall panzer grey and in three colour camouflage
  
• More Features  :  Full detailed interior torsion bar, separated suspension, folding side platform, optional long exhaust pipes, elevating main gun, optional 60cm and 54 cm barrel with rifling and shells, also include railway.