German 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 Anti-Tank Gun - AFV Club's No. 35059, released in 2003
Due to restrictions brought by the Versailles Treaty, German development of large caliber guns had gone no further than design stage during the 1920s. After the Nazi Party, who claimed Germany had no obligation to follow the treaty, seized power in 1933, the German Armed Forces were being remobilized, the famous 88mm Flak had also entered production. Originally designed as an anti-aircraft gun, the 88mm Flak was in fact a dual-purpose weapon, which also made a highly effective anti-tank gun. The 88mm Flak 18 made its debut in the Spanish Civil War that fought between 1936 and 1939, in which it was proven an excellent weapon.

Due to the outstanding combat performance, the 88mm guns were widely used by the German Armed Forces during WWII, for both anti-aircraft and anti-tank duties. Various 88mm weapons had been developed, many late war German heavy tanks also adapted these guns as their main armament.

As the war turns its tide against the Axis in 1943, demand on the 88mm cannon had grown even greater, with an attempt to simplify production, a 88mm L/71 gun was mounted on the existing two-wheeled or "spilt trail" carriage of IeFH 18 105mm howitzer to complete an anti tank gun, designated the Pak 43/41. In order to hold its weight, the Pak 43/41 adopted a pair of all-steel wheels of sFH 18 15cm heavy howitzer. It also equipped with spaced gun shield, and a pair of recoil springs to reduce the recoil distance. When firing armor-piercing projectiles, the Pak 43/41 was capable of penetrating armor plates of 13cm at a distance of 1370 meters. A total of 829 Pak 43/41s were produced until the 1st of January 1945.

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