Ostwind
Encyclopedia
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.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
) was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon
An anti-aircraft vehicle, also known as a self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon or self-propelled air defense system , is a mobile vehicle with a dedicated anti-aircraft capability...
based on the Panzer IV
Panzer IV
The Panzerkampfwagen IV , commonly known as the Panzer IV, was a medium tank developed in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s and used extensively during the Second World War. Its ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz...
tank. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Wirbelwind
Wirbelwind
The Flakpanzer IV "Wirbelwind" 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 Möbelwagen....
.
The Panzer IV's turret was removed and replaced with an open-top, hexagonal turret which housed one 3.7 cm FlaK 43
3.7 cm FlaK 43
The 3.7 cm Flak 18/36/37/43 were series of anti-aircraft cannon produced by Nazi Germany, which saw widespread service in the Second World War. The cannon was fully automatic and effective against aircraft flying at altitudes up to 4200 meters. The cannon was produced in both towed and...
. 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
Duisburg
- History :A legend recorded by Johannes Aventinus holds that Duisburg, was built by the eponymous Tuisto, mythical progenitor of Germans, ca. 2395 BC...
.
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.