Ostwind
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The Flakpanzer IV Ostwind was an anti-aircraft vehicle based on the Panzer IV. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier AA tank Wirbelwind.
The Panzer IV's turret was removed and replaced with an open-top, hexagonal turret which housed a single 3.7 cm FlaK 43. 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 tank 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.
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German armored fighting vehicles of World War II | |
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Panzer VII 'Löwe' | |
German armored fighting vehicle production during World War II |