Ostwind

Flakpanzer IV "Ostwind"
Scale model of an Ostwind
Type	Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Place of origin	Nazi Germany
Production history
Produced	1944
No. built	43 - 45
Specifications
Mass	25 tonnes
Length	5.92 m (19 ft 5 in)
Width	2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Height	3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew	5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Radio Operator)
Armor	10 - 80 mm
Main armament	1x 3.7 cm FlaK 43 L/89 1,000 rounds
Secondary armament	1× 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1,350 rounds
Engine	12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM 300 PS (296 hp, 221 kW)
Power/weight	12 PS/tonne
Suspension	leaf spring
Operational range	200 km (120 mi)
Maximum speed	38 km/h (24 mph)

The Flakpanzer IV "Ostwind" (East Wind in German) 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 Wirbelwind.

The Panzer IV's turret was removed and replaced with an open-top, hexagonal turret which housed one 3.7 cm FlaK 43. In addition to its intended role as an anti-aircraft weapon, the fast-firing gun was highly effective against light vehicles and minor fortifications. A closed-top design would have been preferable, but this was not possible due to the heavy smoke generated by the gun. Production of the vehicle was carried out by Deutsche Eisenwerke at Duisburg.

The Ostwind's main improvement over the Wirbelwind was its increased range. It also had slightly better armoring on its turret, as well as a second MG34.

Approximately 45 of these vehicles were built.

External links

• Panzerworld Ostwind specifications
• Achtung Panzer article on Flakpanzer IV