reverted to the sliding horizontal mechanism with a modified semi-automatic gear. Fitted with a large shield the weapon was nicknamed “Scheunetor” or “Barn Door.”
Specifications:
Weight: 4,389 kg (9,655 lbs)
Elevation: -5 to +38 degrees.
Traverse: L28 degrees to R28 degrees
CORROSION:
It was believed that the gun sat outdoors for about 25 years prior to 2002. During the restoration it was discovered that all but a few fragments of original coatings had been removed by abrasive (sand) blasting and the gun had been repainted many times, up to its then current gray coating. In general, there was alot of corrosion. All originally moving parts were immovable; brake drums were firmly corroded to brake pads; sheet metal was eaten away by corrosion.
Details of the condition of the gun before restoration are shown throughout the treatment illustrations below.
Credit:
The historical information provided briefly above was drawn from the more lengthy historical treatment in:
New Vanguard 46: 88mm Flak 18/36/37/41 & Pak 43 1936-45 (Osprey Publishing). Written by John Norris, iIlustrated by Mike Fuller.
