Flakpanzer IV Ausf.G "Wirbelwind" - Early Production

As Allied aircraft increasingly dominated the skies over Europe as WWII progressed, there was a need for more effective self-propelled antiaircraft guns. One such solution was the Flakpanzer IV, a vehicle nicknamed Wirbelwing, or “Whirlwind” by the Germans. Development commenced in 1944 as a brainchild of Karl Wilhelm Krause, an officer of the “Hitler Jugend” Division, and the vehicle featured a quadruple 2cm Flakvierling 38 weapon system mounted inside a nine-sided turret. The turret was open-topped to allow fumes generated from the four cannons to dissipate. As can be imagined, the Wirbelwind was a quick-firing weapon, and it could also be employed against ground targets. A crew of five operated it. Approximately 100 of these 22-tonne weapons were produced on rebuilt or repaired Panzer IV tank chassis.

Dragon has produced a fantastic 1/35 scale plastic kit of the Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind. The kit depicts an Early Production version of the antiaircraft platform based on a Panzer IV Ausf.G chassis. All associated detail of the open-topped turret, hull and running gear is accurately represented in true-to-scale miniature. The kit utilizes Dragon’s highly acclaimed kit of the 2cm Flakvierling 38 weapon system, a finely detailed replica of the original four-barreled gun. Inside the box, modelers will find many slide-molded plastic components, as well as the convenience of Magic Tracks, plus some photo-etched parts such as the cage for spent shell cases. This latest kit from Dragon allows modelers to easily create any specific vehicle from the Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind family.

Models are supplied unpainted and assembly is required.