Review
This offering from MiniArt arrives in a cardboard tray with a card lid. The model parts are packaged in 2 plastic bags with only the instruction booklet loose in the box. An examination of the parts reveals no moulding issues, other than care will need to be taken when removing some parts due to how easy it will be to break bits during the removal process. This model can be considered as a kit of 2 parts, as in the anti-tank gun itself and the 4 man crew with supporting parts being the other.
This offering of the 7.5cm anti-tank gun is listed as a mid production model. The Pak 40 started going into service in the early 1940s and was rushed at the end, due to the need for a larger calibre gun following Operation Barbarossa. Due to German forces coming up against Russian heavy armour, against which the 3.7cm gun being in-affective against these tanks, requiring the use of the 88mm gun to be used which took too much time to set up. The difference between the mid and early production 7.5cm anti-tank gun is I believe limited to the split trail which on early productions had a 3rd wheel.
Assembly of this model is straight forward, however the very small parts used and photo etched pieces will require a reasonable level of skill to get the most from the model. Some highlights of the gun model, is that the twin shield layers are well replicated and the centre shield is provided with a photo etched part to better mimic the thickness. The main barrel is moulded as a single piece, and so will only require clean up at the connection points. You are also provided with 2 versions of the muzzle brake, and a 3rd option is provided with a canvas cover on it. The split trail can be shown in the used or towed positions, and the rubber detail on the wheels has the Continental emblem on them only requiring the removal of a zero at the end which I believe is there in order to get around copyright law. While on the subject of the rubber wheels, the rubber took quite a lot of damage over its lifetime and so some gauges in the rubber detail will add a realistic touch.
In this set you are provided with 4 figures which replicate 2 loaders, the gun commander and the crew member that sets and fires the gun. The figures themselves are nicely detailed uniform wise. They are shown wearing the ankle boot and putties. The uniform itself has no insignia detail present that I can see even under magnification. Shoulder boards are present, and the hand and facial detail of all 4 figures is of a very high standard for injection moulded plastic. Included with these figures are 10 unfired rounds - ready to use, 4 rounds that have been fired and have utilising slide moulding and you have 4 transport cases that have again utilised slide moulding so that you can replicate casing with the shell removed or using the caps provided - casing with the shells in place.
2 equipment sprues have been included and these provide the modeller with bayonets in scabbards, 2 designs of entrenchment tools, 1 entrenchment tool freed from its holder, 5 water canteens, 5 mess tins, 7 helmets with interior detail, 5 gas mask cases, 5 bread bags and a nice touch is a water canteen with the cup portion separate and also a mess with the lid removed and provided separately. On the weapons front you have MP40 machine guns with separate stock detail, 2 KAR rifles, a P38 automatic, 2 Luger holsters one with the weapon removed, set of binoculars, a flare pistol, ammunition pouches to support the weapons and some leather cases for the likes of maps. It should be remembered that artillery troops used to have a clean uniform in order to prevent being caught on parts of the gun.
MiniArt has provided 4 finishing options for this model:
16th Panzer Division Wehrmacht, Italy, Autumn 1943
Unknown Unit, Ost Front, Spring 1944
Unknown Unit, Normandy June 1944
Unknown Unit, 1944/45
Conclusion
This offering from MiniArt is a particularly nice offering due to the fact a dedicated artillery crew is provided in the release. Where as I cannot think where German artillery troops have been presented with the Pak 40 previously. The combination of gun and crew lend themselves to a diorama setting that will not have to take up a huge amount of space, and could be something simple, such as a crew set up in the road, or a more difficult prospect of a previously set up position which means you can add a lot more detail and for it to be a lot more involved. Either way, this really is a very pleasing release from MiniArt.