Review of the 88 Flak Gun

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:06 pm

The gun is fantastice the beast they have dont to date! I just wish they would increase thier product line!
thanks for the heads up

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:19 pm

from the reviews so far it sounds like the 88 is 21c's opus magnum. I just hope it's not also their swan song..

smittyrob64 · Post by **smittyrob64** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:12 pm

So I noticed on the 21st website it says this about the 88,
"Get them before they are gone the S1 scheme is a introductory short run paint scheme. "

So....grey then?

STUKA · Post by **STUKA** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:15 pm

i may just keep the dak in the box then.

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 5:24 pm

I was told by 21st that it was a short run item. Some dealers only received half what they originally ordere or none at all.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 5:26 pm

I can't wait to get mine.

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 5:34 pm

Ive been watching ebay and there arent really any for sale at all. one dealer i use has them rez7026. other than that i cant find any others.
Another web store only received enough to fill his back orders. His order was shorted by 21st.

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 5:48 pm

so it looks like they cut the production run short, realizing it probably wouldn't be as big a seller as the grey and not wanting to sink a whole lot of money into them and have them sit (i can't help but feel partially responsible...lol). Probably will come out with the grey pretty quickly i bet (well, quickly for 21c). I hope they do away with the dorky iron cross on the shield.

Panther F · Post by **Panther F** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:52 pm

Mine is showing up Wednesday.

Need to get the Pak 40 now too.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:13 pm

Got my 88 today

I have not taken it out of the box yet, but must say it is a very impressive piece. The DAK scheme also looks great and looks better than I thought it would - I'm a bit more hesitant to repaint it at the moment and when the funds are available, may get a second to do just that. Certainly excellent work on the part of 21c

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:38 pm

i'd hold off on repainting the DAK 88's. It seems like it's been made in small numbers and that probably means a grey and then a camo version will be released. The DAK colour scheme may not get produced again....very possible, so i'd keep it the colour it is.

It would be kind of daft to repaint a DAK 88 and then in a couple of years, find you want a DAK coloured 88 and repaint a grey one....lol.

immeww2 · Post by **immeww2** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:53 pm

Mine arrived today. A fine piece of art. Really amazed at all the small detail that went into this gun. My mind was just spinning trying to figure out how in the heck they put this together. I give it a two-thumbs up.

smittyrob64 · Post by **smittyrob64** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:42 pm

may get a second to do just that.

i'd hold off on repainting the DAK 88'.

Yeah, I'd wait for the grey version
http://www.21stcenturytoys.com/area21/a ... newsID=333

STUKA · Post by **STUKA** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:58 pm

i wonder how many were really made? 1000? 2000? 5000?

B-29 · Post by **B-29** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:30 am

I'll probably pick two of; one to repaint and the other for my DAK guys.

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:48 am

I am almost finished with my Grey repainted 88. (painted the sample that 21C provided to me!) -Thanks 21C!!!!

Meanwhile my other DAK version is safe in it's box. I plan to take it out though. The 88 distribution as I understand it is indeed a shorter run piece.

coreystinson · Post by **coreystinson** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:00 pm

STUKA wrote:i wonder how many were really made? 1000? 2000? 5000?

I believe the run would be 4000 pieces. The cartons indicate 1000 were brought over, and there are 4 units per carton. This is, of course, no certainty but at least provides a guideline.

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:05 pm

I agree i was told 5000 were ordered and they recieved less than ordered.
so 4000 makes good sense.

Panther F · Post by **Panther F** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:18 pm

Hey guys, not to start an argument, what makes the gray version more appealing than the DAK version? I always thought the DAK desert gun would be more appreciated and more popular since they were used in direct fire against vehicles?

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:26 pm

I believe the DAK version is less popular since many builders dont focus on that theater. The 88 was used on all fronts in the anti-tank role.

immeww2 · Post by **immeww2** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:44 pm

Gray is more of a war color than yellow?

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:54 pm

I can see the appeal for both schemes. The Grey is pretty cool on this piece for sure.

But to echo the question that Panther F raised... I am not sure why there would be any resistance to a DAK scheme. And historically Panther F is also right the use of the gun directly against vehicles is way cool!

After seeing my extra DAK gun in grey paint in person however is really striking. So I can see the appeal there. And to other board members point that ETO theater is more main stream in terms of collecting interest.

What 21C needs to do is make that grey one too! Both are very nice to have. Unfortunately, I am not inclined to think that it will happen any time soon. So for now the DAK 88 is the only way to go.

Post by **aferguson** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:35 pm

the 88 was used in all theatres throughout the war for anti tank work...even during the invasion of france it was used that way (prior to the installation of the shield). Til mid 43, all 88's were in dark grey. Even many of the ones used in north africa were dark grey for some or all their time there. So it's just more generic and useful a colour plus it looks really good.

If the DAK was made in 4000 units that's still quite a bit...so i doubt these will run out any time soon. And i would imagine that 21c will follow up fairly quickly with a dark grey (if they can) as it will be a much better seller than the DAK. Even people who think they've bought their fill of the 88 with the DAK version will reach into their wallets when they see the dark grey version. Then of course there will be a post mid 43 camo version as well, which will also look great.

Panther F · Post by **Panther F** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:56 pm

I just thought the 88 was used more as a direct fire weapon in the desert campaign than in the European one, where it was used mainly as an anti-aircraft weapon.

Both "paint schemes" are very cool, I was just wondering why one was more sought after than the other. Too bad they couldn't have offered both versions at the same time. I think it would have generated more sales that way.

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:14 pm

Yep aferguson is correct. I have books with the 88 missing shield in action in France. Although its great advantage as a anti tank gun was realized in the wide open desert battles. Engaging British tank far before they were able to return fire.
I think they came out with the DAK version first knowing that many buyers will buy a second panzer grey version once released.