20mm Flakpanzer IV ‘Wirbelwind’ - 1:72 Hasegawa

[Paul A H]

20mm Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind

1:72 Hasegawa

The origins of the Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind can be traced back to the North African campaign, when large numbers of Wehrmacht vehicles were decimated by fighter bombers of the RAF Desert Air Force. A number of temporary solutions were put in place, generally involving converting a range of vehicles to carry single flak guns. As the German military situation deteriorated, particularly on the Eastern Front, it became clear that a more permanent solution was required.

A number of solutions were tried and tested until the first true Flakpanzer appeared in the shape of the Wirbelwind. The Wirbelwind was not a new-build vehicle. All 105 examples were converted from old Panzer IV chassis that had returned from the front. The turrets were removed and replaced with an open-topped turret surrounded with 16mm armour plating. The Wirbelwind was fitted with the quadruple 2cm Flak 38, providing a high rate of fire. Most of the completed Wirbelwinds were deployed to Normandy in the wake of the Allied invasion. They didnt fare particularly well in combat though, and most were destroyed, captured or abandoned.

For a type that was built in reasonably limited numbers, the Wirbelwind has been reasonably well-served by model manufacturers. In 1:35, there are several options to choose from, including kits from Dragon, Tamiya and Academy (the latter based closely on the Tamiya kit). Tamiya also have a relatively new kit of the type in 1:48 scale. In 1:72 you can choose from this kit or the old Esci version.

Hasegawa's Wirlbelwind is something of a hybrid as it is a combination of a couple of older Hasegawa kits with some new parts added for the turret and armament. The lower hull is the oldest part of the kit as the sprue which holds these parts is lifted straight from the Munitionspanzer IV, a kit which originally saw the light of day as part of Hasegawas Morser Karl set. This explains the presence of a socking great big 60cm shell on the sprue! Detail is just about good enough to pass muster, although in fairness this is the least conspicuous part of the kit.

The upper hull is slightly more modern as it belongs to Hasegawas Panzer IV kit. The quality of moulded detail is pretty good, although not up to the standard of the superb Revell Panzer IV. The hatches are all moulded in place, as are the various pioneer tools. The wheels and drive sprockets are fairly good, but the tracks are the rubber band type, which I personally do not like.

The turret is the newest part of the kit. The armoured shell is comprised of upper and lower halves, and plastic is quite thin. The 2cm Flak 38 is pretty good, and the seat and controls for the gunner are quite nice too. The barrels are too thick (inevitable in this scale) but turned metal alternatives are available if you want to upgrade them. Additional details include spare magazines, a spare gun barrel case, spare wheels and a jack.

The marking and painting guide shows just one example, numbered 03 and belonging to an unknown unit operating in Northwestern Europe in early 1945. The vehicle is finished in a winter whitewash, but helpful notes about the colours and patterns used for the base camouflage are also included. The decal sheet includes a full set of numbers in both red and black, giving you plenty of options, provided you check your sources.

Conclusion

Ive always liked the Panzer IV on the basis that its an aesthetically pleasing design which bridges the gap between early war tank designs and later models such as the Panther. The Wirbelwind is one of the better looking conversions available too. If you really want to go to town and build the ultimate Wirbelwind, Id be tempted to suggest cross-kitting this model with the Revell Panzer IV in order to take advantage of the more detailed chassis and link and length tracks. Im sure this kit will build up just fine out of the box as well though. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of UK distributors for

[Sgt.Squarehead]

The problem with crosskitting the Hasegawa & Revell kits is that they are to a slightly different scale, the Revell's a wee bit underscale and the Hasegawa's a bit too big (I've crosskitted the almost identical Hasegawa Ostwind with the Revell Pz.IV Ausf H and the results weren't pretty).....I very strongly suspect that MaCo will release a Revell based Wirbelwind before too long and it will (just like their new Ostwind kit) absolutely wipe the floor with the Hasegawa version (and thus render crosskitting redundant).

The spare parts from the Munitionspanzer that are included in this kit (and most of the other Hasegawa Pz.IVs), particularly the ammunition storage area, may be quite useful to those building the newer Hobbyboss version of this vehicle, as the crane of that kit can only be built deployed, but the ammunition storage area can only be built closed, a rather strange combination.....I've not actually attempted to do the grafting on mine yet, so I'm not 100% sure it will work, but it should be possible.

I'm also in the proces of grafting the front of a Munitionspanzer onto a modified Hasegawa Pz.IV Ausf G upper hull, to produce a (crude) representation of one of the upgunned Ausf Ds used in the last days of the war.....I was hoping to use Revell schurzen parts on the turret, but the difference in scales has reared its ugly head once again and they won't work.

Edited February 21, 2013 by Sgt.Squarehead

[Sgt.Squarehead]

MaCo have just announced a SWS with Flakvierling (using the shiny new Revell tool): http://www.network54.com/Forum/47210/message/1368632986/MACO+next+new+kit+-+sWS+with+armoured+cab+and+2cm+Flakvierling

Which means that a MaCo/Revell 1/72 Wirbelwind is now an absolute certainty.

Edited May 15, 2013 by Sgt.Squarehead