Flakpanzer IV "Wirbelwind" Flakpanzer auf Fgst Pz Kpfw IV Wirbelwind | |
---|---|
General Historical Information | |
Place of origin | Germany |
Manufacturer | Ostbau Works |
Produced In | 1944 |
Category | Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun |
Debut in FHSW | v0.55 |
Speed | 40 km/h |
Armour | |
Main armament | 1x 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (80 rounds) |
General Ingame Information | |
Used by | Germany |
Crew in‑game | 2 |
Ammunition | HET & APT (Random) |
Seat 2 | 1x 7.92 mm MG 34 (250 rounds) |
Seat 3 | Passenger Seat |
Seat 4 | Passenger Seat |
Historical Picture | |
After the Germans had lost air superiority, interest in self-propelled anti-aircraft guns grew. In early 1944 the Flakpanzer IV family began with the Möbelwagen. This was a Panzer IV chassis equiped with a 37 mm Flak 43 covered with four shields which could fold open similar to half track designs like the Sd.Kfz. 7/1. Later, a second and newer Flakpanzer design was presented, the Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind. The Wirbelwind was a Panzer IV chassis with a diamond-shaped open-topped turret that had an armour thickness of 10 mm. It contained a 2 cm Flakvierling 38, with a rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute. Although it was built to be used against aircraft, the 2 cm Flakvierling 38 was also effective against lightly armoured vehicles and personnel. Around 80 vehicles were built and the design was later replaced by the stronger Ostwind. The Wirbelwind was the basis for a prototype Flakpanzer with four 3 cm MK 103/38 guns called the Zerstörer 45.
The turret is used on the Schwerer Schienenpanzerspähzug "Flakwagen". The Wirbelwind and that train were both made by eYe.
|
|