This model was released by AER Moldova in the late 1990’s or
early 2000’s and at the time was the only detailed small scale
model kit of this Soviet anti aircraft weapon of WW2. Used by the
Soviets, and captured and used by the Germans (as the 8.5-cm FlaK39(r)),
I suspect they were also likely used by Romanians, Hungarians and
Finns. After WW2 the Soviets distributed them to their Soviet Block
allies.
The box art shows an unpainted model with the wheels up and the gun
elevated for firing. The gun has a shield which I understand is for
use when combating ground targets. I’ve read that like the German
8.8-cm Flak, the 85-mm m1939 weapon could be and was also put into
use in an anti tank role.
Color in Soviet use should be an olive green. There are no crew figures
included, neither are decal markings included with the model and it
does not appear any were used on the real weapon based on photos I
have examined.
This gun could be converted to a Soviet 76-mm AA gun with little effort.
The 85-mm was in many ways a scaled up version of the 76.2-mm AA gun
and was indistinguishable at distance except for the 85-mm gun’s
slotted muzzle break.
As of 2009, this kit may no longer be in production and available,
possibly because of the availability of the more builder-friendly
ACE kits of this same gun. You may find it on eBay and at model shows
though. This AA gun is the same version as that marketed as ACE’s
kit 72274 though the shield is somewhat different.
The kit instructions include a simple but adequate exploded-view diagram
and a parts key at lower right. For assembly, glue with cyanoacrylate
glue after washing well with detergent and then drying. Dry fit all
parts before gluing and sand or file as needed to fit. Bent resin
parts such as the gun barrel can usually be bent straight after immersing
the part in hot water first. Acrylic or enamel paints should work
well.
There are about 45 cast resin parts on either pour blocks or pancakes
for the thin parts like the gun shield (right side of the photo).
You may wish to drill out the muzzle for greater realism. The four
tires are molded in black soft rubber with flash and poor detail.
No ammunition is included.
Overall I found the resin molding to be not bad, about equal to TP
Models, but not up to MARS or Modelkrak resin quality. AER resin models
have not been known to be of high quality compared to MarS and AlBy
but at the time they were released they were unique subjects produced
by no one else so I did not hesitate to purchase them if I liked the
subject. With a little tender loving care and experience I believe
this can be made into a decent display model.
REFERENCES
- ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY, by Ian
V. Hogg, The Crowood Press (2002); another great hardcover artillery
reference book by Mr. Hogg. Many black & white photos in 186
pages.
- http://www.thetankmaster.com/artillery.asp
Here and below are several reference photos of two 52-K guns in travel
mode and with shields, that were on display during a visit to Aberdeen
Proving Grounds in Maryland, USA. Do not trust the colors, the Aberdeen
displays have been over-painted several times in 50+ years and may
not reflect the original color. I also would not trust the tires to
be original. Here we can see the two-part shield, the slotted muzzle
brake, the travel brace for the gun barrel, and the round ground pads.
This second photo is of the left side of a second 85-mm 52-K gun at
Aberdeen, but with the gun barrel in full recoil. The round ground
pads have holes around them like with the ACE and AER kits, and we
see the slotted muzzle break at right and the gun breach at far right.
There is a traverse or elevation hand wheel visible and just behind
and below it we see the 85-mm AA round fuse-setting apparatus. I find
it interesting that the apparatus looks to be painted Panzer Yellow
color (Dunkelgelb).
The side outriggers are swung forward during travel mode rather than
lifted up like with the Flak 18 guns. There is a nice circular walkway
around the pedestal. The wheels are singular, rather than doubled
like with the Flak 36, and the wheels appear to be permanently affixed
to the cruciform mount rather than as trailers that are removed.
Another photo of an M1939 without shield at Aberdeen Proving Ground.
On top of the gun recuperator is a vertical rod just like that seen
on the German Flak 18 and Flak 36 used for mounting an indirect artillery
gunsight. On the left side we see a large German-like fuse setting
apparatus suggesting to me that perhaps this is a gun that was used
by the Germans and possibly converted to fire 88-mm German ammunition?
One of the groundpads appears to have fallen off the folded outrigger.
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