I've been comissioned to build a diorama (after the action)of the actions of Sgt Wally Harris MM REME, which won him the Military Medal. In the summer of 1944 Wally took on an 88mm in the process of it being set up in the town of Mons-en-Pevelle. What would be the best model to use for the 88mm given the timeframe and location - there's very little detail in the after action report or citation? I'm also after finding a suitable towing vehicle - he specifically mentions a half-track. Not overly concerned with accuracy for the half track as it blew up in the action and will be shown burnt-out. Thanks for helping out a non-Axis member.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/d-day-hero-wally-harris-set-7225784

I read his story...what a career he had. Too bad he past away on the very day he was to visit Normandy. From one military Veteran to another: he will now stand guard at the right hand of God. Bless his soul...

If you're modelling in 1/35, the high-end kits to use would be Dragon, although expensive for both gun and tractor. You could downgrade slightly and use Tamiya, with lots of PE.

If I were to do this I would pick a FlaK 36 and build it without shield (arbitrary choice ...)
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6260.htm
and then add Dragons Sd.Kfz 7:
http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/german/dml6466reviewcs_1.html
If you are going to show it as a wreck then Tamiyas Sd.Kfz.7 would be good enough:
http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/tam/kit_tam_35148.shtml

/ Robin

Options are as follows in 1/35:
8.8cm AT guns:

AFV Club 35059 8.8cm Pak 43/41
Trumpeter 02308 8.8cm Pak 43

8.8cm dual purpose AA guns
AFV Club 8.8cm Flak 18
DML 8.8cm Flak 36
DML 8.8cm Flak 37

Towing options are generally DML Sdkfz 7 8-ton tractors. Maybe a SWS but they were rare.

However, another equally likely scenario is that the gun was the ubiquitous 7.5cm Pak 40 (available from AFV Club or DML, many versions) being hauled by an SdKfz 11 tractor (AFV Club) or less likely, an SdKfz 251 SPW (AFV Club or DML).

Allied troops were notorious about mis-identifying any enemy gun as an "88" . The 7.5cm gun was about ten times as many as any 88mm weapon.

EDIT: Didn't see the note about this being a commission build. Then I'd recommend the Tamiya Flak 36/37 kit plus Tamiya SdKfz 7 tractor -- the buyer won't really care about the fine detail or ultra accuracy. Having both of these kits, well painted and complete will exceed most buyers' expectations. Plus you'll be able to finish this much quicker than a more complex AFV Club and DML combination. I think the buyer would prefer a finished product quickly more than an ultra detailed one many months later. That's been my experience with commission builds.

Some inspiration





H.P.