- Yes
- No
The Flakpanzer IV Möbelwagen (3,7 cm Flak 18 L/57) could be a lower BR sidegrade to the Ostwind and Wirbelwind in game, showing the developmental history of the German armys Self propelled AA guns from Halftracks and Trucks to modified Tank platforms to fully enclosed and open top Flakpanzer which have rotating Turrets. As well as a lower sidegrade to possible future additions such as the normal Möbelwagen, or as a trade off to some Halftrack.
The Flakpanzer IV Möbelwagen was essencially a stopgap until the Wirbelwind and Ostwind were ready for production, these were modified Pz IV Hulls, where the Hull MG was removed, the angled front sides straigten outwars as well as fold down sidewalls which created a big working platform for the crew of 5 with the gun in the middle, beeing protected on the hull by 50mm and the turret only by the sidewalls and gunshield (so first 2x 12mm, then 2x 10mm and then later a solid 20mm plate) while these were better than the Half tracks and Trucks, these were from march 1944 to July 1944 mere stopgaps until the Wirbelwind and Ostwind were ready with overall 240 vehicles constructed.
However, here i dont want to suggest the standart variant with Flak 43, instead as mentioned above with 3,7 cm Flak 18 L/57. This is a relatively unique gun, as it was only produced from 1935-36 in low numbers, befor being replaced by the Flak 36, that is relative however, since they are the same gun, just with a different mounting. The Flak 18 had the downside of having gunner and loader on the left side, making it a bit bigger overall and having no gunshield. It was made either due to lack of Flak 43 guns and/or for training, where they didnt want to use a high value Flak 43, which has a rather similar mount, just with the gunner on the right. This vehicle also has cut down shields, that allow it to shoot all around, without lowering them.
In game it would offer a mobile, relatively armored vehicle with an adequat automatic gun, better than a halftrack, but worse than the main line model. It could be set at a lower BR.
There sadly are just 2 Photos of it, however they clearly show the gun type.
The Gun:
3,7 cm Flak 18 L/57
Fire rate 180 rpm (160-200 rpm) -5° to + 85° elevation, 360° traverse at 35°/sec
With 6 round frames, 2 on the ammo tray, continues fireing.
Ammo: Aphe, HE, HEHC and possibly HVAP.
For more info (and ease of editing when new/more info is available, ill only add it here:
German WW2 SPAAG Flaks 20-50mm and their Ammunition Discontinued moved into General Armarments
The Vehicle:
Panzer IV Chassis
Crew: 5
Weight: 25 ton
Engine: HL 120 TRM (Late) 300/3000 PS
Speed: 42 Km/h
Armor:
Front: 50-80mm
Side: 30mm
Back: 20mm
Superstructure appears to be of 2x 12mm plates
Source:
3,7 cm Flak 18 Allgemeine Beschreibung, Wirkungsweise und Behandeln
Walter J. Spielberger (1993) Panzer IV and its Variants, Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
P. Chamberlain and H. Doyle (1978) Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two – Revised Edition, Arms and Armor press.