Tag Archives: flakpanzer

German Flakpanzer IV, Wirbelwind (Tamiya)

Posted on by

This is the Tamiya 35 233-3000 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind’.

German Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind

History

The Flakpanzer IV “Wirbelwind” (Whirlwind in English) was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the Panzer IV tank. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Möbelwagen.

The Panzer IV’s turret was removed and replaced with an open-top, nine-sided turret that housed a quadruple 2 cm Flakvierling 38 L/112.5. A closed-top design would have been preferable, but this was not possible due to the heavy smoke generated by the four anti-aircraft guns. The shape of the turret earned it the nickname Keksdose (“Biscuit Tin”).

The combination of armor and rapid fire from the four guns of the Wirbelwind made it very effective against lightly armoured ground targets such as trucks and armored cars; infantry were particularly vulnerable.

Source: Wikipedia

Where I got it

German 3.7cm FlaK 43 Flakpanzer IV – Ostwind (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 01520 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German 3.7cm FlaK 43 Flakpanzer IV – Ostwind’.

German 3.7cm FlaK 43 Flakpanzer IV - Ostwind

History

The “Ostwind” was the last of a series of Flakpanzers (anti-aircraft tanks) based on the Panzer IV chassis to enter production, albeit in very small numbers. The “Ostwind” carried a single 3.7cm FlaK 43 gun, which was rather more effective than the less powerful 2cm guns of the “Wirbelwind”, and also needed less space in the turret, as well as only needing a crew of two (gunner and loader) in place of the gunner and two loaders of the quadruple guns.

Like the “Wirbelwind” the “Ostwind” had a distinctive angular turret, this time six sided, and with the gun emerging from a slot in the pointed front of the turret.

After trials in July, on 18 August 1944 Ostbau were given a contract to produce 100 “Ostwind”. Less than half of these vehicles would be produced – the first fifteen of the eventual total of forty-three were completed in December 1944, far too late to have any impact on the war.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Flakpanzer IV, Möbelwagen (Tamiya)

Posted on by

This is the Tamiya 35 101-2500 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Flakpanzer IV, Möbelwagen’.

German Flakpanzer IV, Möbelwagen

History

The Möbelwagen was essentially a standard Panzer IV hull and chassis with hinged armoured flaps 10mm thick. The Möbelwagen entered service in the Autumn of 1943 and were used by the AA platoons of tank regiments until the end of 1944.
Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Flakpanzer IV, Wirbelwind (Academy)

Posted on by

This is the Academy 13236 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Flakpanzer IV, Wirbelwind’.

German Flakpanzer IV, Wirbelwind

History

The Flakpanzer IV “Wirbelwind” (Whirlwind in English) was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the Panzer IV tank. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Möbelwagen.
Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Flakpanzer Gepard (Tamiya)

Posted on by

This is the Tamiya 35 099-2500 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Flakpanzer Gepard’.

German Flakpanzer Gepard

History

The Basis of the Gepard weapon system is the remarkable Oerlikon-Contraves 35mm which was developed and put into production in the early 1960’s. During the 1960’s, two prototypes were produced.

The Oerlikon, which was chosen for production, became the Flakpanzer Gepard, which was essentially a standard Leopard with the ordinary turret replaced by the Oerlikon-Contraves twin 35/90mm AA turret and associated auxiliary equipment.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it