There were a series of large-caliber field and anti-tank guns showcased by the German Army during World War 2 (1939-1945) utilizing the famous "88" caliber (8.8cm). One mid-war development became the Krupp 8.8cm PaK 43 (PanzerAbwehrKanone 43) series which was produced from 1943 until 1945 to the tune of some 2,100+ units. The weapon was featured on its typical cruciform carriage and developed into the PaK 43/41 on its split-trail carriage mounting. The KwK 43 was a tank gun version used in several notable German vehicles. Due to its battlefield lethality, the PaK 43 grew into one of the finest of the "88" guns put forth by the Germans in the whole of the war and gave good service against even the stoutest of Allied armor.
Overall weight of the system was a hefty 9,660 pounds and length measured 21 feet with its L/71 barrel assembly. It stood nearly six feet tall. The shell was a 3.5" projectile (16 to 23 lb depending on type used) loaded through a horizontal semi-automatic sliding block breech arrangement. Recoil was handled through a hydro-pneumatic system mounted under the barrel in the traditional way. A double-baffle muzzle brake capped by the long-reaching barrel and a gunshield protected the immediate operating crew from forward fire. The base mounting hardware allowed for an elevation span of -5 to +38 degrees and traverse was 56-degress from centerline. A trained and experienced crew could expect to fire six to seven rounds per minute out to 17,000 yards maximum (4,400 yards effective).
The PaK 43 proved itself a devastatingly effective battlefield weapon, particularly at close range (100 to 500 meters), and retained excellent penetration value against targets as far out as 1,000 meters. It could engage as far out as 4,000 meters though with very reduced hit probability. Its major restrictions were its inherent weight which became a disadvantage along the softer East Front terrains as the war progressed.
Three types of shells were eventually used with the PaK 43 series guns: the Pzgr. 39/43 APCBC-HE ("Armor-Piercing Capped with Ballistic Cap - High-Explosive") weighing 23 lb, the Pzgr. 40/43 APCR ("Armor-Piercing, Composite Rigid" weighing 16 lb and the Gr. 39/3 HL(HEAT) ("High-Explosive, Anti-Tank") weighing 17 lb.
The gun was also used as the primary weapon aboard several key tank designs of the war (as the "KwK 43"). This included the storied Tiger II heavy tank and the Ferdinand / Elefant, Jagdpanther and Hornisse / Nashorn families of dedicated tank destroyers.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the PaK 43 (PanzerAbwehrKanone 43) 88mm Towed Anti-Tank (AT) Gun.
None. This is a towed artillery piece. Installed Power
10 miles 15 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the PaK 43 (PanzerAbwehrKanone 43) 88mm Towed Anti-Tank (AT) Gun.
6 (MANNED) Crew
30.2 ft 9.2 meters O/A Length
7.2 ft 2.2 meters O/A Width
5.7 ft 1.73 meters O/A Height
8,047 lb 3,650 kg | 4.0 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the PaK 43 (PanzerAbwehrKanone 43) 88mm Towed Anti-Tank (AT) Gun.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the PaK 43 (PanzerAbwehrKanone 43) family line.
PaK 43 - Base Series Designation
PaK 43/41 - Tank gun variant
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the PaK 43 (PanzerAbwehrKanone 43). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 2,098 Units Contractor(s): Krupp - Nazi Germany
[ Nazi Germany ]
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Left side view of a PaK 43 anti-tank gun on a four-wheeled carriage system
Design Qualities Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to battlefield requirements.
FIRE SUPPORT / ASSAULT / BREACHING
Recognition Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.
Going Further... The PaK 43 (PanzerAbwehrKanone 43) 88mm Towed Anti-Tank (AT) Gun appears in the following collections:
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