This release sees the introduction of some new models to expand our range of Finnish big guns and to give them some much needed flak and AT support. The Finns tended not to have a native artillery industry and many of their heavier pieces were bought from other nations including France, Germany and Italy.
As always, here’s a little background on the various new units…..
20 ItK/35 light AA gun
The 20 ItK/35 was the Finnish designation for the Italian Breda Model 35 20mm light anti-aircraft gun. It was designed in the early 30s and adopted into service in 1935. A lightweight weapon, it could be towed by a vehicle or a single horse (or reindeer!).
Conceived as a dual purpose weapon, the Breda 35 was effective against both aircraft and ground targets. Though it did not have the fearsome reputation of the Flakvierling, it was deadly when used against infantry, and it could also damage light tanks.
The Finns purchased a total of 92 of the Breda 35 that were delivered from February 1940 onwards.
This model is supplied with a crew of 3.
76 ItK/28 B heavy AA gun
The 76 ItK/28 B was the Finnish designation for the Swedish Bofors 76mm M/28 heavy anti-aircraft gun. These were produced by Bofors during the late 1920s and into the 1930s. Supplied to a variety of countries, they were solid, reliable heavy AA guns and available as towed or fixed and could be mounted to vehicles, structures etc.
The Finns used a number of different types, in both a mobile and fixed role.
This model is supplied with a crew of 4.
M1897 75mm Light howitzer
The “Canon de 75 modèle 1897” (variously also called the “French 75”, “Soixante-Quinze” or simply 275”) was a French field gun originally designed in the late 19th century. At the time of introduction, it was one of the most advanced pieces of artillery in the world, and is widely thought to be the first modern artillery piece. This is due to hydro-pneumatic recoil system, which allowed for sustained and accurate fire of between 12-15 rounds a minute at a time when other artillery had to be realigned after each shot and could fire 1-2 rounds a minute accurately.
Conceived as an anti-personnel weapon, it saw action in WWI as one of the primary guns for use with gas shells, as well as being the main armament of the Saint-Chamond. The US also purchased and used it during WWI.
It was already venerable by WWII, yet was still in use and was deployed against advancing Panzers during the Battle of France. A number had been sold to Poland and it was the most numerous artillery piece in the Polish Army. After the fall of France a number were also used by Germany, and the British purchased some from the US after Dunkirk and the loss of so much equipment.
Forty eight units were ordered by Finland in 1940, but only 12 arrived during the winter. Later on, they were used by Fortification Artillery Units during the Continuation War.
This model is supplied with a crew of 3 and one spotter (not shown).
M1913 105mm Medium howitzer
A medium howitzer of WWI vintage, the “Canon de 105 mle 1913 Schneider” was a 105mm French artillery piece. At the end of the war, France moved a lot of their surplus 105 guns by giving them away or selling them at low cost. In this way, Belgium, Poland, Italy and Yugoslavia all acquired them.
In 1940, Finland purchased 12 from France which arrived during the Winter War, as well as a number from Germany.
This model is supplied with a crew of 4 and one spotter.
C17S 155mm Heavy howitzer
The “Canon de 155 C modèle 1917 Schneider” or “C17S”, was a WWI French heavy artillery piece. As with many other French artillery pieces, they were distributed by one means or another to various countries.
Finland bought 12 assorted Schneider heavy howitzers during the 1920s and later purchased another 166 captured howitzers from Germany in 1940. These were delivered and put into use between 1940-44.
This model is supplied with a crew of 5 and one spotter.
75 PstK/97-38 medium AT gun
The 75 PstK/97-38 was the Finnish designation for the German 75mm 97/38 anti-tank gun. This was a hybrid gun created from the carriage PaK38 with a 75mm barrel from the 1897 75mm French howitzer. As the barrels of the howitzer became too worn to be accurate as artillery, Finland approached Germany to discuss modifying some into anti-tank guns instead. Ultimately, Germany manufactured 46 of these hybrids and delivered them from March 1943 onwards.
It performed acceptably, despite being based on a late 19th century gun, but suffered from a low effective range, violent recoil and difficulty in hitting small, mobile targets.
This model is supplied with a crew of 3.
75 K/40 heavy AT gun
The 75 K/40 was the Finnish designation for the German 75mm Pak40 anti-tank gun. A scaled up and improved version of the earlier 50mm PaK38, this was a powerful weapon and capable of penetrating almost any Allied tank at long range.
The Finns ordered 210 of these, which were delivered from May 1943 onwards and saw action during the Continuation War.
This model is supplied with a crew of 4.
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Hopefully you found this bit of background history interesting and our models will be reinforcing your Finnish armies.