Flakpanzer IV Ostwind

The Flakpanzer IV Ostwind is a German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the PzKpfw IV medium tank. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the Wirbelwind self-propelled gun.

The tank turret was removed and replaced with an open-top, hexagonal turret with a 37 mm FlaK 43 cannon. The heavy smoke generated by the gun filled the fighting compartment, making it impossible to implement a closed-top design, although this would have otherwise been desirable. The vehicle is also armed with two MG 34 machine guns.

The Flakpanzer IV Ostwind gun has excellent penetrating power and, in addition to its primary targets, is perfectly able to hit infantry and light armoured vehicles, as well as poorly protected fortifications.