King & Country · Battle of the Bulge · BBG035
King & Country BBG035 depicts the 8.8cm Flak 41 deployed on its four outriggers, with a seated gunner and a late-war splinter camouflage finish. The barrel is fixed in the firing position. This is the gun and one crew figure, so the wider working crew seen around an artillery position would need to come from other releases.
In the set: A deployed Flak 41 gun on four outriggers with one seated gunner; the barrel is fixed in its firing position.
Which 88mm gun is it?
The Flak 41 was a distinct weapon from the better-known Flak 18, 36 and 37 family. The US Army’s wartime handbook describes it as designed for air, ground and sea targets, with an automatic rammer. Calling every German 88mm gun the same weapon misses the reason this particular model looks different.
The spread of the outriggers is as important to the model’s shape as the length of the barrel. They establish the ground occupied by the gun and keep it from reading like a loose barrel and shield. The seated figure supplies scale and puts a person at the controls without hiding the mechanism.
Review
The reference view shows a satisfying contrast between the long, narrow barrel and the broad deployed base. It is a substantial artillery subject for someone whose German collection is already heavy on tanks. The fixed barrel means it should be chosen for the displayed firing pose, rather than for changing between high-angle and level presentations. Extra crew can add activity, but the original single gunner should remain clear in any description of what the set includes.
References: archived BBG035 release description and photographs; historical background. Review observations are based on the product reference photographs.
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