MONSTER IN MOTION; 12.8cm SF L/61 STURER EMIL IN 1/15 SCALE. Germany’s obsession with ever more colossal armaments allowed an extravagance of design, such as this armored fighting vehicle shown here; armed with a 12.8cm K L/61 gun of gigantic proportion, a grandiose design tank that certainly must have been a remarkable sight on the battlefield. Two vehicles were actually built, and field tested in Russia in 1942 with considerable success. One of these vehicles was credited with 22 T-34 tanks destroyed at ranges in excess of 4,500 meters! Panzerjager Abteilung 521 tank destroyer battalion received both guns, and fought its way south to Stalingrad where it would perish in January 1943. At that time, at least one vehicle was still operational, as the soviets managed to capture an example in fairly good condition. The historic machine was exhibited and presented in Moscow to the Russian public. For weeks on end the Russians came to stare at the mysterious and huge wicked-looking German armored fighting vehicle and whistle with amazement. Until it found a final resting place in the tank museum at Kubinka, where it still can be viewed. A permanent memento of a most effective and respected foe.
Pictures of my Sturer Emil in 1/15 scale
