Flakpanzer IV "Kugelblitz" – the German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun

In January 1944, due to the Allied dominance of the airspace in Germany, the construction of a new self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery gun began. Initially it was planned to use 30 mm caliber guns in a turret, designed for U-boats. But the project turned out to be a complete failure and the company "Daimler - Benz" received an order to design a new turret. The new machine was mounted on a modified tank Pz. Kpfw. IV (mounted turret rotation mechanism from the “Tiger” tank). Its turret was completely closed and armored, it was equipped with two automatic 30 mm caliber MK 103 cannons (combat reserve – 1200 rounds) and a MG 34 machine gun for self-defense with a combat reserve of 1200 rounds. The turret allowed the guns to move at an angle from -5 to + 70  degrees. The same turrets were planned to be installed on the Pz. Kpfw. 38(t) chassis. "Kugelblitz" (German: Ball Lightning) was to be a much more effective means of combat, than those, used earlier during the war. It was the only German anti-aircraft machine with a fully covered armored turret. It was planned to further strengthen the firepower by installing two more 20 mm cannons in the turrets. By the end of the war 2 prototypes and 3 serial "Kugelblitz" vehicles were produced. One of them was used in the battles near the town of Spichr in Thuringia. The device was destroyed, and its wreckage lay for a long time on the slopes of the Spatenberg hill. Part of the turret was excavated in 1999; the turret was restored and is now in the educational exposition of the Military Air Defense School in Rendsburg.

A medium-complexity, well-designed and excellently detailed model, which will suit only medium-experienced and experienced modelers. However, advanced beginners and modelers with little experience, working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, can also assemble this handsome model, but You will forget the rushing, work patiently and carefully. Model very authentically recreate the chassis, its suspension, external detailing, armament, tracks are only as a tapes. There are no reserves colors. The textual instruction in Polish are not the largest, but describe the entire model assembly process quite well and perfectly complement the extensive, fairly detailed, informative and easy-to-read graphical instruction.