This release sees the introduction of some new models to expand our range of German units and to offer them some much needed mobile flak support. Towards the end of the war, German forces were under pressure from Allied air superiority. Static and light mobile AA platforms were not always sufficient to guard against incoming air attacks, so a new range of armoured Flakpanzers based on the PzIV chassis were introduced.
As always, here’s a little background on the various new units…..
Möbelwagon
The Möbelwagon was a self-propelled AA platform consisting of a single 37mm AA gun rotating mount in an open topped superstructure mounted on a PzIV chassis. Originally intended as a stopgap measure, the Möbelwagon saw service with a number of Panzer Divisions on the Western front and 240 were made in total.
This model is available with the sideplates fully closed (travelling mode), partial open (AA mode) or fully open (ground attack/AA mode).
Wirbelwind
The Wirbelwind was a self-propelled AA platform consisting of a quad 20mm autocannon mount in an open topped turret mounted on a PzIV chassis. A successor to the earlier Möbelwagon, the Wirbelwind had a very high rate of fire, but lacked range and stopping power against the Allied aircraft of 1944, often requiring several hits to cause sufficient damage. This led to the development of the heavier Ostwind, with a 37mm cannon.
However, the high rate of fire, combined with a fully depressable gun and rotating turret made the Wirbelwind deadly against ground troops and light vehicles. Approximately 100 were made between 1944-45.
Ostwind
The Ostwind was a self-propelled AA platform consisting of a single 37mm AA gun mounted in an open topped turret mounted on a PzIV chassis. It was developed as a successor to the Wirbelwind once it was realised that the Wirbelwind lacked range and stopping power. As with the Wirbelwind, the Ostwind proved to be deadly against infantry and light vehicles and was an effective mobile gun platform.
Kugelblitz
The Kugelblitz was the ultimate development of the Flakpanzer and featured a pair of 30mm autocannon in a fully enclosed rotating turret fitted to a PzIV chassis. It was designed to address the issues of the Ostwind and Wirbelwind – chiefly that they were tall and the open turret made the crews vulnerable to attack.
Only 5 examples of the Kugelblitz were manufactured, and only one saw action.
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Hopefully you found this bit of background history interesting and our models will be reinforcing your German armies.