International Scale Modeller

Flakpanzer IV "Wirbelwind" (Whirlwind in English) was a German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the Panzer IV tank. Wirbelwind was successor to the Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen (armed with 37mm Flak 43 L/89) – "interim solution" produced before the introduction of the real Flakpanzer.
The ground for building such self-propelled anti-aircraft tank was that in late war German Luftwaffe was no longer in complete control of the airspace over the battlefield. This was especially dangerous to the panzer units, first on the Eastern Front and then on the Western Front. Mobile air-defence was needed for both offensive operations to support fast moving panzer units and for defensive operations to provide anti-aircraft cover for defending or withdrawing units under attack.
The concept of Wirbelwind was proposed by SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Wilhelm Krause, an officer from 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitler Jugend". In the early summer of 1944, Krause proposed to mount four barrelled 20mm Flak 38 gun on PzKpfw IV‘s chassis. During the fighting in Normandy in the summer of 1944, his flak unit was credit with shooting down 45 allied planes.
Wirbelwind was usually built on retired or battle damaged Panzerkampfwagen IV (mainly Ausf F/G/H) chassis/components returned from the front for major repairs.

Specifications:
Weight: 22000kg
Crew: 5 men
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TR 112 / 12-cylinder / 272hp
Speed: 38km/h
Range: Road: 200km
Cross-Country: 130km
Capacity: 470 litres
Length: 5.92m
Width: 2.90m
Height: 2.76m
Armament: 4 x 20mm Flak 38 L/112.5
1 x 7.92mm MG34
Manufacturer: Ostbau Werke
Production: between 87 and 105





During the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes Offensive) in December 1944, Kampfgruppe Peiper, unit of the 1st SS Panzer Division LAH used 2 (or according to some sources 4) Wirbelwinds to protect their tanks.
These Wirbelwinds were part of the 10. (Pz.Flak) Kompanie, under the command of SS-Obersturmfüher Vögler, which supported the SS-Panzer-Regiment 1.





As the Kampgruppe Peiper was encircled in the area north of river L’Ambléve, the equipment they left behind is easy to count. There were two Wirbelwind left in the area – one in Stoumont near the Sanatorium St. Edouard and the second on the road near La Gleize.

The kit I have chosen is 1/35 Dragon 6540 Sd.Kfz. 161/4 2cm Flakpanzer IV "Wirbelwind" and ATAK 35048 Zimmerit.

My model of Wirbelwind is based on the pictures of the real vehicle photographed in La Gleize and Stoumont. It was painted in Dunkelgelb colour with red brown and dark green pattern.

From the pictures is quite clear the vehicles had:
- Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste was applied,
- no vision ports for driver and radio operator,
- “older” type of Idle Wheel,
- Balkenkreuz was applied on the rear and both sides of the vehicle,
- no visible tactical number or division marking.

Return Rollers type - from the pictures is not clearly visible if they were rubber or steel /I presume they were steel/.

Some progress...


Hull cleaned and ready for glue.


Wheels cleaned and ready for glue.



The kit includes very little interior parts, so I might add some scratch parts and details visible through the "turret"

This looks to be a fun project!

Lysus wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2017 7:23 pm

This looks to be a fun project!

Thank you, mate. I'm enjoying it.

Weekend progress...
As I like to complicate things, I did some basic interior. I'm fully aware of the fact there won't be much of it visible....but I did not like it empty


Some scrach parts for the interior / loaders seat, boxex, battery, some stuff on the walls. I plan to add MP40 and canteen after fixing the side parts of the upper hull.


Test fit of the hull.. I'll put it together after application of zimmerit and wheels.

Slick scratch building, man

Lysus wrote: ↑Mon May 29, 2017 4:08 am Slick scratch building, man

Thank you, mate. It is really basic though.

Little progress...

Lower hull is almost complete, glad I've not glued the fenders, as I need to fit the zimmerit on the sides first.




Any idea what kind of glue I should use for the ATAK zimmerit?? Was thinking about water-based dispersion.

Another progress...

Zimmerit on the hull is almost fixed, fenders as well. I've tried to paint the interior, minor chipping and weathering will follow.

Nice work - really like the way you've added the interior.

Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 20, 2017 11:38 am Nice work - really like the way you've added the interior.

Thank you for your kind words, mate.

Great work so far buddy!

demarcation wrote: ↑Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:53 pm Great work so far buddy!

Thank you very much, mate.

Wow very cool tank build and intro! Ill be watching this.

DrSprue wrote: ↑Tue Jun 27, 2017 2:31 pm Wow very cool tank build and intro! Ill be watching this.

Thank you very much for your kind words, mate.

After some week of being very very busy, I finally made some progress

The gun and hexagonal turret is now complete. Hull is almost complete, tools and minor details are still missing.

Great to see you're still making progress mate - that gun system looks really neatly done

Wow that gun assembly looks like it was a bit complex. Looks very cool.

Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:37 am Great to see you're still making progress mate - that gun system looks really neatly done

Thank you for your kind words, mate.

DrSprue wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2017 5:52 pm Wow that gun assembly looks like it was a bit complex. Looks very cool.

Thank you very much. Actually, the gun was one of the easiest parts to complete. It is just a simplified version of 2-cm-Flak-Vierling. This Dragon kit needs no PE parts, IMHO.

Finally added all the details and basic camouflage.

During waiting for the paint to dry, I decided to make some figures for my Wirbelwind.
Not sure if I use all of them, have an idea in my head, hope I'll have the time for it.
The figures are all in primer.

Is it me or is there an extra head?

Lysus wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2017 3:57 pm Is it me or is there an extra head?

The head belongs to the German with binoculars on the left. It would be difficult to paint, which the guy with huddie would be anyaway.

Tiger213 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2017 6:48 am

Lysus wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2017 3:57 pm Is it me or is there an extra head?

The head belongs to the German with binoculars on the left. It would be difficult to paint, which the guy with huddie would be anyaway.

Now I see it.

Some progress... experimenting with oils - fading and wash done. I'm still learnig, lots of things can be done better.

Nice work mate - the fading on the camo pattern is really subtle; very effective!

Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2017 2:11 pm Nice work mate - the fading on the camo pattern is really subtle; very effective!

Thank you very much for your kind words, I'm glad you like it.

I like the way it's coming along.Ive always fancied doing one of these, but somehow the bigger ones seem to take me away from it.

snowman819 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 1:32 pm I like the way it's coming along.Ive always fancied doing one of these, but somehow the bigger ones seem to take me away from it.

Thank you.

My weekend progress. Weathereing is done - chipping and wash. Some dirt and mud on the lower hull.
The model is almost complete. Now for the figures and base, hope I can make it.

Funny that they'd bother to zimmerit a vehicle like this, one would have thought that if an infantry soldier got near enough to use a magnetic mine they might as well chuck some grenades in the turret.

Looking really great though!

TheNordus wrote: ↑Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:09 pm Funny that they'd bother to zimmerit a vehicle like this, one would have thought that if an infantry soldier got near enough to use a magnetic mine they might as well chuck some grenades in the turret.

Looking really great though!

You are right mate Well, I think the only reason for this could be these Wirbelwinds were made from PZ IV chassis (sometimes even from repaired ones) and as zimmerit was applied generally to any panzer from December '43 to September '44, they used what was available.


BTW - I love the zimmerit on it - looks great with it, however, it is very difficult to fade down or weather.

Looks great - really hope you get the whole thing finished the way you want it.

Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:31 am Looks great - really hope you get the whole thing finished the way you want it.

Thank you very much. I'll do my best.

Last weekend progress. Tank is finished = dust, mud and dirt applied.

These figures and diorama details are ready...I know they could be done better but I keep trying
Working on the rest of figures and diorama base. More update soon.

That table looks sweet!

I mean, it all is coming together splendidly, but I can't stop admiring that table with the little cards etc.

Lysus wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2017 6:35 pm That table looks sweet!

I mean, it all is coming together splendidly, but I can't stop admiring that table with the little cards etc.

Thank you mate. The cards and Lucky Strike cigarettes I printed on paper and cut..the table and chairs are made of very thin wood and matches, quite a challenge to make, but I'm glad you like it.

Today I finalized the whole diorama, hope I can add some pictures tomorrow.