Wirbelwind - Sd.Kfz. 161/4

thingiverse

The Wirbelwind, a German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun built on the Panzer IV tank chassis, boasted an open-top turret housing four 20 mm autocannons instead of the standard Pz IV turret. Based on available reference materials online, the outside shape of the turret is remarkably accurate, although details inside the turret and the guns themselves are largely speculative. To compensate for limited reference material, images from other model kits were used as a guide to create a plausible gun assembly. The Panzer IV tank hull and tracks were sourced from m_bergman's impressive collection, scaled up to 1/56, cleaned, and separated into individual components for easier printing. Those preferring to print the hull with attached tracks should consider downloading the original file from m_bergman. Using metal rods is highly recommended for gun barrels due to their fragility when printed; Ø1.3 mm rods cut to 27 mm in length proved effective, as did aluminium or brass alternatives. Additionally, printing a muzzle for each gun ensures a complete assembly. Metal parts were used for the pins connecting optics to guns, utilizing clipped Ø0.9 mm nails and glue for secure attachment. Although model files for these pins are included in the download package, they can be safely ignored. Some gun components are quite small, necessitating multiple prints to achieve optimal results.