Flakpanzer
The quadruple-cannon Wirbelwind; this tank is displayed at CFB Borden in Ontario, Canada.
Flakpanzer is a German term for anti-aircraft tanks ("flak" is derived from Flugabwehrkanone, literally "aircraft defence cannon"; "panzer" is derived from Panzerkampfwagen, literally "armored fighting vehicle").
Vehicles referred to by this name developed over the course of World War II, and into the Cold War. These vehicles include the following:
- Flakpanzer I, a converted version of the Panzer I tank. Very rare in combat service. Used in World War II.
- Flakpanzer 38(t), based on the Panzer 38(t) light tank, and used in World War II.
- Flakpanzer IV, is the general designation for a series of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns based on the Panzerkampfwagen IV medium tank chassis, also from World War II. They are in order of development:
- Möbelwagen, used in World War II
- Wirbelwind, used in World War II
- Ostwind, used in World War II
- Kugelblitz, in prototype stage at the end of World War II
- M42 Duster (Flakpanzer M42), used by the Bundeswehr
- Flakpanzer Gepard, used by the Bundeswehr
- ZSU-57-2 (57-mm-Fla-SFL 57-2), used by the National People's Army of East Germany
- ZSU-23-4 (23mm-Fla-SFL 23-4), used by the National People's Army of East Germany
See also
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