Another of the 'proposed panzers' this was planned to rectify the deficiencies in other armoured AA defences, such as the Wirbelwind.Instead of a quad 20mm configuration (which was found to be inadequate) this was the same PzIV chassis with an enclosed twin 30mm turret, each firing 450 rounds per minute. Some prototypes were completed and may have seen combat in the latter days of the war, but records are incomplete.
I think the rounded turret gives it a kind of early Warsaw Pact styled appearance
I'd like to find a turret in 28mm to slot onto an existing PzIV when needed, but that might be a big ask.
Found it in micro armour (1/300) scale though: http://www.navigatorminiatures.com/product.asp?P_ID=4992&strPageHistory=search&strKeywords=pz&numPageStartPosition=1&strSearchCriteria=any&PT_ID=752
and also in 15mm: http://www.peterpig.co.uk/german.htm
More on this vehicle here:
http://www.achtungpanzer.com/kugel.htm#kugel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kugelblitz
Very nice! I always loved the Kugelblitz... I remember an old Airfix Magazine article with instructions for scratchbuilding the ball turret by carving it out of a piece of balsa. Times have changed.
ReplyDeleteNice work. What scale is this?
ReplyDeleteNot mine mate - some example models from about the net (1/35 scale or so). Hard to find pics of a real one, but these give you the idea of the design.
ReplyDeleteVery, very nice.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly look distinctive.
ReplyDeleteGot one of the 1/48 Verlinden conversions kits around here somewhere that I was going to use but I went with the 37mm Flakpanzer V instead. Better armor, can switch it to a 57mm if I want to go crazy with the panzer porn and it just looks allot cooler. I'll see if I can find that hunk of resin if you want me to.
ReplyDeleteLet me know,
Brian
Thanks Brian - my Pz IVs are from the Berlin or Bust range so they are 1/60 scale - not sure if the 1/48 scale turret will work with that
ReplyDeleteYeah, 1/48 wouldn't fit that scale. Hope Company B or even West Wind does a easy conversion for it in the future.
ReplyDeleteBrian