German Armored Forces & Vehicles

Tank hunter prototype

Bundesarchiv

This prototype vehicle is the Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm PaK 43 Waffenträger. The idea behind this weapon system was a self-propelled mount for the powerful but heavy 8.8cm antitank gun, as towed versions of this gun were too cumbersome for crews to move readily. The idea was that the gun could be dismounted if need be or used directly from this mobile plaform. Ardelt and Rheinmetall build the first prototype and tests were conducted in April, 1945 but it never saw operational service.