In our research we have uncovered lots of really interesting experimental tanks. Some were just designs that were never completed. Others were completed as prototypes, and some even saw small-scale field testing!
These tanks were weird and wonderful, ranging from a 100-ton monster and a First World War relic, to a tank with two side-by-side main guns, an armoured car weighing more than a tank, and a machine-gun armed light tank with the armour of a heavy tank!
We wanted to try them all out to see how they might have performed if they had actually been built, so we decided to write some briefings for them, just for the fun of it!
--
While still fighting in Poland in September 1939, the German High Command looked ahead to the coming battle with France and ordered a vehicle for use against the fortifications of the Maginot Line. In response Krupp set about designing a self-propelled 10.5cm K18 long-range gun based on a Panzer IV tank chassis.
The new vehicle’s rotund profile quickly gained it the nickname ‘Dicker Max’ (‘Fat Max’). On 31 March 1941 Krupp-Gruson presented the first of two prototypes designated 10.5cm K18 auf Panzer Selbstfahrlafette IVa (10.5cm K18 on Armoured Self-propelled Mount IVa) to Hitler.
With France defeated, Hitler ordered that this vehicle be developed into a heavy Panzerjager (tank-hunter) capable of destroying the anticipated British and Soviet super-heavy tanks. Production of the 10.5cm K18 auf Panzer Selbstfahrlafette IVa was planned to start in spring 1942, but was cancelled in favour of other vehicles.
This item is in In Shrinkwrap condition. The item shown is the one you will receive.