German Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind - Tamiya's No. 35233, released in 1999, price 2,500 Yen
In the latler half of the Second World War, Germany's boss of air supremacy created a pressing need fot the development of powerful anti-aircraft vehicles to combat the fighter-bombers of the Allies. At first, the focus of production was around the Mobelwagen anti-aircraft vehicles. It was built on the chassis of the Panzer IV tank, and equipped with a single 37mm Flak gun, which was protected on all sides by light armored plates. In the spring of 1944, a new standard was laid down to unify the production of a new anti-aircraft vehicle. The plan included the following : 1) rotating armored turret capable of holding three or four crewmen, 2) guns with effective firing range of 2000 m, 3) integrated mount of at least two guns, 4) space for ample ammunition, 5) body of under 3 m in height, and 6) various wireless devices. These criteria resulted in the Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind (whirlwind) anti-aircraft vehicle. The forte of the Wirbelwind was its exceptional rotating turret protected by no less than eighteen, 16 mm thick armored plates.
