Wirbelwind (Whirlwind) & Ostwind (East wind)

With a fully-rotating polygonal-shaped turret, the Wirbelwind was far superior to the M�belwagen. The turret, though open-topped, at least afforded the crew some protectiom when it was in action. As in the M�belwagen, the quadruple 20mm gun arrangement was inefficient. Thus, after 105 had been produced (some say only 86), production effort was shifted to the Ostwind. The Ostwind carried a single 37mm gun instead of the 20mm Flakvierling. By the time it went into service, the war was almost over, and thus only 43 were manufactured. These few vehicles did play a role in the development of post-war anti-aircraft tanks like the Gepard.

Click on one of the thumbnails below to view the full picture.
	Technical data and/or diagram of Wirbelwind & Ostwind.
	A Wirbelwind 20mm Flakvierling attempts to hide from Allied fighter-bombers in a Normandy field.

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