Packaging: closed carton box with capability removing a piece of front and a top, transforming to a window box.  On a back and side of the box picture of the model, model attached to a black base that made of semi-flexible black plastic to which the model attached with screws.

On a top model is secured with a plastic insert that has compartments where a salvo and the loading device are stored.

Gun barrel elevates and can be depressed.  Model presented in “running” mode with suspension set in higher position.   The model is huge! Its displays great!  It is highly detailed and has nice paint job.  

Limited quantity was shipped to the US market the model is Sold Out by the manufacturer upon its release with many dealers received only a fraction of ordered quantities.

ABOUT the “KARL”  

Other designation: Karlgerat

Type: Self-propelled heavy siege mortar on tracked carriage

Manufacturer:          Rheinmetall-Borsig

Chassis Nos:          I – VI

Production:           1 prototype late 1939 – early 1940 6 production vehicles delivered 11/1940 – 8/1941

Engine:          Daimler-Benz MB503; V12 – 44.5lit. 580PS.  Later MB 507

Gearbox:          4 forward, 1 reverse

Speed:                    10km/h (6mph)

Weight (tons):          124

Length:          11.37m /37.3’

Width:           3.16m / 10.37’

Height:                    4.78m / 15.68’

Armor:           Mild steel superstructure and hull

Armament:          60cm/23.62” G e r a t 40 L/8.44, latter and / or 54cm/21.26” G e r a t 041 L11.5

Ammunition:

60cm             s Be Granate weight 2.17tons /4784lb

                    le Be Granate weight 1.7tons/3747.86lb

54cm             s Be Granate weight 1.58tons/3483.3lb

                    le Be Granate weight 1.25tons/2755.78lb

Traverse:           4 degree left and right

Elevation:          0 + 70 degree.

Maximum rate of fire:  Six rounds per hour.

HISTORY

The gun known, as “Karl” is a self-propelled version of the 60cm siege mortar was ordered in June 1937.   General Karl Becker of the Artillery was involved in the development and his name was used to describe the gun.  In May 1940 at Unterluss were held the driving trials and between November 1940 to August 1941 all six production vehicles were delivered.  In February 1941 it was asked about increasing of the range of the weapon.  The 60cm G e r a t 040 was the largest caliber gun to be mounted on a fully tracked chassis. To achieve this goal 54cm interchangeable long barrel was developed and ordered in May 1942 for all six vehicles.  Almost a year latter in March 1943 on the conference with Hitler it was stated that the first one would be delivered in June 1943.

While the prototype chassis, which was built in 1939 had eight road wheels production Karl had eleven road wheels.  However it need to be mentioned that Karl wad transported on rail and road.  In both cases the gun need to be partially dismantled and for road transportation put on special trailers.  The chassis were transported on a 24-wheels trailer and tow by a huge truck.  On rail chassis were transported suspended on cantilevered beams between two special rail platforms.  In order to put it in the transport position two special jacks were used. 

Ammunition was transported in “Munitionsschlepper” – ammunition vehicle, which was a conversion from Pz Kpfw IV.  It was able to transport four rounds and had a crane in order to load the gun.

Guns Adam, Eve, Thor and Odin went to the Russian Front in July 1941with 628^th schwere Artillerie Abteilung (heavy artillery battalion) and saw action at various city with the best known action was during the Sevastopol siege in 1942.  (Sevastopol is large city located in Crimea peninsula between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.  It was the naval base for the Soviet Black Sea Naval Forces, which traditionally was the largest part of Russian Navy and covered operation in Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean.  During the eight month siege Germans fired 46,000 shells and dropped 20,000 tones of bombs). Later four guns were issued to sAAbt 833.

Guns V and VI were named Loki and Ziu. 

In 1945 US forces captured Guns II with a 60cm barrel and V with a 54cm barrel.