GERMAN 5cm PAK 38 GUN
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Versatile and efficient German Second World War anti-tank gun
The 5cm Pak (Panzerabwehrkanone) 38 gun went into production in 1940, two years after development work had begun. It appeared too late for the campaigns in Poland and France, but subsequently became one of the most widely used and versatile gun in German service.
During the early stages of the German invasion of Russia in 1941 it was the only gun able to tackle the Soviet T34 tank and, when issued wit tungsten-cored armour piercing ammunition, it could penetrate all but the most heavily armoured tanks up to the end of the Second World War.
The Pak 38’s low silhouette gave it good concealment, an important factor in theatres such as the Western Desert.
The wheels had solid rubber tyres to reduce the need for maintenance and to conserve rubber, wich was already scarce in Germany when the gun entered service.
Technical specifications:
CREW: six
CALIBRE: 1,97 inches (5 cm)
WEIGHT IN ACTION: 2,174 lb (986 kg)
MAXIMUM RANGE: 3000yards (2,743 m)
WEIGHT OF SHELL: 6,2 lb (2,8 kg)
PENETRATION: 3,4 in (8,6 cm) with tungsten-cored armour piercing round at 500 yards (472 m)
