View source for Ostwind

{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox weapon|is_vehicle=yes
|         name=''Flakpanzer IV/3.7cm FlaK "Ostwind"''
| image= Munster Flakpanzer Ostwind Modell (dark1).jpg
| image_size = 300
|      caption=Scale model of an ''Ostwind''
|origin=[[Nazi Germany]]
|type=[[self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon|Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun]]
|         crew=5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Radio Operator)
|       number= 44 (22 converted from Panzer IV + 22 new production vehicles)
|production_date= 1944-1945
|       length= {{convert|5.92|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|        width= {{convert|2.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|       height= {{convert|3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|       weight= 25 tonnes
|       armour= {{convert|10|–|80| mm|abbr=on}}
|      primary_armament=1x [[3.7 cm Flak 43]]<br /> 1,000 rounds
|    secondary_armament=1× [[7,92 x 57 mm|7.92 mm]] [[MG 34|''Maschinengewehr'' 34]] machine gun<br /> 1,350 rounds
|       engine=12-cylinder [[List of WWII Maybach engines|Maybach HL120 TRM]]
| engine_power= 300 PS (296 hp, 221 kW gasoline)
|   suspension= [[leaf spring]]
|   speed={{convert|38|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
|     pw_ratio= 12 PS/tonne
|        vehicle_range={{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=on}}
}}

The '''''Flakpanzer IV "Ostwind"''''' ('''East Wind''' in English) was a German [[Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon|self-propelled anti-aircraft gun]] based on the [[Panzer IV]] tank. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier ''Flakpanzer IV/2&nbsp;cm Vierling'' ''[[Wirbelwind]]'' and produced at the Ostbau Works plant.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20120716192737/http://www.achtungpanzer.com/flak4.htm</ref>

The Panzer IV's turret was removed and replaced with an open-top, hexagonal turret that housed a [[3.7 cm Flak 43]]. In addition to its intended role as an anti-aircraft weapon, the fast-firing gun was highly effective against light vehicles. While a closed-top design was preferred, this was precluded by the amount of smoke generated by the gun.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wehrmacht-history.com/heer/anti-aircraft-vehicles/ostwind.html|title=Flakpanzer IV Ostwind|website=www.wehrmacht-history.com}}</ref>

The ''Ostwind's'' main improvement over the ''Wirbelwind'' was its armament. While the Wirbelwind was armed with the [[2 cm Flak 30, Flak 38 and Flakvierling 38|2 cm Flak 38]], the Ostwind was armed with the more powerful and longer range FlaK 43's. It also featured slightly better armor on its turret. The Flak 43 had a lower rate of fire than the 2&nbsp;cm Flak 38. To solve this problem a project was undertaken to arm the Ostwind with two 37&nbsp;mm cannons, known as the Ostwind II. A single prototype was built but the war ended before anything truly became of it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2-germany-flakpanzerkampfwagen-iv-ostwind/|title=Flakpanzer IV (3.7 cm Flak 43) 'Ostwind'|date=October 1, 2019|website=Tank Encyclopedia}}</ref>

Although an order for 100 vehicles was placed in August 1944, only 44 vehicles were completed (22 converted from existing Panzer IVs and 22 new production vehicles) from December 1944 to March 1945.<ref>Doyle & Jentz, p. 12-1-48</ref>

==Comparable vehicles==
* {{lwc|Möbelwagen}}
* {{lwc|40M Nimród}}
* {{lwc|M19 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage}}
* {{lwc|Crusader tank#Crusader III.2C AA Mk I|Crusader Mk. III Anti-Aircraft Tank Mk. I}}
* {{lwc|ZSU-37}}
* 40&nbsp;mm cannon armed {{lwc|AMX-13}}

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last1=Doyle |first1=Hilary Louis |last2=Jentz |first2=Thomas L. |title=Flakpanzer IV and Other Flakpanzer Projects |date=2023 |publisher=Panzerwrecks |location=Old Heathfield, UK |isbn=978-1-915969-18-7|series=Panzer Tracts|volume=12-1 |name-list-style=amp|edition=revised}}

{{WWIIGermanAFVs}}

[[Category:World War II self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons of Germany]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced from 1940 to 1944]]
[[Category:37 mm artillery]]

[[de:Flakpanzer IV#Ostwind]]