M-42 – the USSR 45 mm anti-tank gun of the 1942 model

The appearance of German tanks Pz. Kpfw. III and Pz. Kpfw. IV with reinforced armor on the Eastern Front forced the USSR leadership to arm anti-tank artillery units with more powerful weapons. Already in the spring of 1942 the designers of OKB-172, led by M. Y. Tsirulnikov, modernizing the 45-mm anti-tank gun 53-K, created a new 45-mm anti-tank gun M-42. The modernization included lengthening the barrel and using a new type of projectile. The modernized gun was adopted by the Red Army under the name "45-mm anti-tank gun M-42, model 1942". Serial production began at the Motovilinsky Artillery Plant No. 172 in Perm in January 1943. Production of the 45-mm anti-tank gun M-42 continued until 1946. In total, 10,843 anti-tank guns of the 1942 model were produced between 1943 and 1946. As the production of the M-42 increased, they were used to upgrade anti-tank artillery regiments and brigades armed with 45-mm anti-tank guns of the 1937 model. The 45-mm M-42 anti-tank gun was primarily intended for combat against enemy armored vehicles. Since 1944, a battery of four 45-mm anti-tank guns was installed in the rifle battalion, replacing the anti-tank platoon.

This is the first artillery-themed model, released by publishing house “AKM”, and a large-scale one. A very detailed design with realistically reproduced traces of operation. It is worth noting, that many parts can be made movable, so the gun can be exhibited in various positions. In addition, it is planned to release a version of the M-42 cannon with ZIK-1 or GAZ-AA wheels. A perfectly designed and maximally detailed model, but, at the same time, not too complicated so, that even a modeler with little experience, working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, could assemble it. Where necessary, double-sided printing is used, there is a considerable reserve of colors. There are no text instructions, but they are not needed, when the graphic ones are simply amazing.