1:144 Wehrmacht '46 "Wirbelwind" Turret on Aufklaerer 38D Chassis

This vehicle is fully painted in Dunkelgelb scheme. Weathered and no assembling required.

This model features 360° traverse turret and elevating gun.

"Wirbelwind" - (Whirlwind) was developed as an improvement to the "Möbelwagen" where a rapidly transversable turret enclosing a 2cm Flak Vierling 38 gave protection to the crew of three. The vehicle had adequate armour and mobility and was very effective for air defense and in ground combat. It overcomed the drawbacks of the Möbelwagen which required considerable time of preparation from travelling mode to firing, and left the crew completely unprotected while doing so.

38D - In October 1944 German Panzerkommission decided to standardize future Panzer production to use only 3 types of chassis, the 38 (t), Panther and Tiger. Unfortunately the 38 (t) chassis was poorly suited for production by German industries and supply seriously fell short of the demand. A new leichter (light) chassis was redesigned for German production based on the 38 (t). The new chassis would be wider and mounting a new 220 hp Tatra diesel engine. The new chassis was named as 38 D, also known as Pz. 38 “Reich”.
Vehicles planned to utilize the chassis included:
1. Aufklaerer 38D mit 2cm im Drehturm (Reconnaissance vehicle with 20mm gun in turret);
2. Aufklaerer 38D mit 7.5cm L/48 ( (Reconnaissance vehicle with 75mmL/48 gun);
3. Panzerfahrzeug mit Granatwerfer (Armoured vehicle with 12cm mortar);
4. Halbgruppenfahrzeug (Armoured personnel carrier for half of an infantry section);
5. Kugelblitz 38D
The Aufklaerer 38D had a longer hull and track contact length. With a different gear ratio gear box, the Aufklaerer 38D was a faster vehicle than the regular 38 D although the engine remained the same.

This model of 1:144 Wehrmacht '46 "Wirbelwind" Turret on Aufklaerer 38D Chassis features a "Wirbelwind" turret on a Aufklaerer 38 D chassis.