The Pak 43, one of Germany’s newer antitank guns, is a more solidly built weapon than the 7.5 cm Pak 40. The gun is mounted on large rubber-tired metal wheels. A sloping double shield, 6 feet, 3 inches in height, is fitted to the carriage for the protection of the gun crew. Split trails, approximately 12 feet long, are also supplied.
A muzzle brake is fitted to the barrel. The semi-automatic breech mechanism of the horizontal sliding block type is operated by a small auxiliary cylinder on the left side of the breechblock.
The buffer and recuperator are contained in one cylinder which is fitted above the barrel; the balancing cylinders are mounted vertically on either side of the carriage.
The sight bracket is marked for 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 and 8.8 cm Pak 43 Sfl. This marking tends to confirm the opinion that the Pak 43 is a modification of, or development from, the 8.8 cm Flak 41, which it resembles superficially. This marking also confirms the information that this gun, with the designation 43/1, is used in the self-propelled piece Pz. Jag. III/IV (the “Hornet”).
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | 88 mm (3.46 ins.) | |
| Weight of gun | 4.8 tons | |
| Length of piece (including muzzle brake) | 21 ft. | |
| Diameter of wheels | 4 ft., 6 ins. | |
| Recoil (maximum) | 2.46 ft. | |
| Muzzle velocity | Not known | |
| Range | Not known | |
| Elevation | 38° | |
| Depression | -5° | |
| Traverse | 58° | |
| Ammunition | A.P.C.: H.E.; Hollow-charge | |
| Height | 6 ft., 3 ins. |
German: p. 113