German Mortar Karl

 ArsenalM resin version of the Karl Mortar.

  My friend Randy at Fidelis Models sells them.   https://www.fidelismodels.com/product/ArsenalM_112100021.html
 

They come in the short barrel 600mm version.

And the long barrel 540mm version.  The longer barrel and narrower diameter gave longer range.

This is the Panzer IV munitions vehicle.

It can be built with the ammo space open or closed.  They are excellent kits.  I have two more waiting to build, in HO scale.

Ammo Carrier, WWII German

 The Panzer IV was used for many different roles.

This one is the ammo carrier for the 560mm and 600mm Mortar Karl series.

Two or three ammo carriers were assigned per mortar. 

They had a crane to transfer the ammo to the mortar.

Only a small amount of ammo was moved at a time to minimize the chance of disaster in the event of attack.

Models in HO scale, made by ArsenalM.  https://www.fidelismodels.com/product/ArsenalM_112100021.html

560mm Mortar Karl

560mm Karl.

The Germans made six of them that served in combat.

Intended for use against the Maginot Line in France, they were used against the Russians.

The 560mm version is the long range version.

Shown here with a crew of Revell 1/72nd scale figures.

Model is resin and photo etched brass.

Karl-Gerat German Mortar

In World War Two the Germans planned to swoop around the Maginot Line  by going through neutral Holland and Belgium.

Still, they wanted to have options and so they looked at ways to breech the Maginot Line.

The 600mm mortar was one way to defeat the French defenses.

The mortar was transported on special rail cars for long range travel.

For intermediate travel distances they were carried on super heavy trailers.

But for short range and tactical movement they were able to drive on their own tracks.

They made six of these that were used in combat and one additional experimental one.