The self-propelled version of the 60cm siege mortar was ordered in June 1937. General Karl
Becker of the Artillery was involved in the development; hence the name Karl was used to
describe the gun. The driving trials were held at Unterl¨¹ss in May 1940. Delivery of the six
production vehicles took place from November 1940 to August 1941. In February 1941,
discussions commenced. Concerning increasing the range of the weapon, and in May 1942,
54cm barrels (Ger?t 041 ) were ordered for the six vehicles. At a conference with Hitler in
March 1943, it was stated that the first 54cm Ger?t 041 would be delivered by June 1943,
and the third, by mid-August. The 60cm and 54cm barrels appear to have been interchanged
as required. In 1945, US forces captured vehicle II with a 60cm, and vehicle V with a 54cm.
The prototype chassis, built in 1939, had eight road wheels with external swing arms.
production Karl had eleven road wheels. Ammunition was transported in a tracked
Munitionsschlepper converted from the PzKpfw IV, four rounds in each Schlepper.
For the 60cm Ger?t 040, the s Be Granate weighed 2.117 tons and the Ie Be Granate,
1.70 tons; in this case of the 54cm Ger?t 041, 1.58 tons and 1.25 tons respectively.
Maximum rate of the fire was 6 rph (rounds per hour ). Guns I-IV went to the Russian
Front in July 1941 with the 628th schwere Artillerie Abteilung. They saw action at various
sites, including Lemburg in that year. The best known action was against Sevastopol in
1942. Later, four guns were issued to the 833rd schwere Artillerie Abteilung (mot). These
guns had the names Adam, Eve (1st Batt.) and Thor, Odin (2nd Batt.) The names for guns
V and VI were Loki and Ziu.
Product Description:
Model Brief Length: 840 mm Width: 99.4mm Height:133mm
Item Type : Static Military Artillery
Total Plastic Parts : 1251pcs
Box Size : 64 X 34 X 17cm
Metal Parts : Metal axis and springs
Box Type : cardboard
Resin Parts :n/a
Qty. / Ctn : 4pcs
Photo Etched Part : 95 X 100 mm for Karl Engine mesh cover and collar, another 75 X 46 mm
for carrier handles
MEAS. : 66 X 36 X 70 cm
Film Parts : n/a
Total Sprues : 30pcs sprues plus lower hull, upper hull, 2 tracks and 8 sections railway
Decal Marking : Markings for Nr. III ¡°Odin¡± 040, Nr. IV ¡°Thor¡±040/041, Nr. V ¡°Loki¡± 040/041
and Nr. VI ¡°Ziu¡± 040, from 1941. in overall panzer grey and in three colour camouflage
More Features : Full detailed interior torsion bar, separated suspension, folding side platform,
optional long exhaust pipes, elevating main gun, optional 60cm and 54 cm barrel with rifling
and shells, also include railway.
