German Mobelwagen 'The Furniture Van’

German Mobelwagen 'The Furniture Van’

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The German 37mm Mobelwagen anti-aircraft armoured vehicle was intended to be a stopgap as specifically designed new vehicles were being developed (Eventually designated Ostwind and Wirbelwind) but the need for protection against air attack on both the Eastern and Western Fronts by 1944 was so great that something had to be done to protect the Panzer Divisions. 

The result was the Mobelwagen, with the 37mm AA gun mounted on the chassis with thin steel shields as protection for the crew. The Panzer IV chassis was used, (from tanks damaged in combat that were returned to Germany for repair) and a total of 240 of these huge and slab side vehicles were built and distributed.

It turned out to be a very effective weapon, both in the AA role and against ground targets, and was fondly nicknamed by the troops  'The Furniture Van', due to its shape. 

Though a stopgap it remained in service until the end of the war.

This model comes in two parts, the gun and the chassis.