1:72 Flakpanzer 341 mit 2cm Flakvierling Carson 777487 500777487

At the start of WWII the Luftwaffe ruled the skies, but this dominance was gradually overturned as the war progressed. This led to a dire need for more antiaircraft vehicles for ground forces, and early efforts at producing a Flakpanzer centered on utilizing the Panzer IV chassis. However, the famous German Panther medium tank was also used as a platform for developmental work, with the Coelian perhaps being the best-known example. In May 1943, a proposed Rheinmetall design showed two pairs of Vierling MG151/20 antiaircraft cannons mounted in a Turm Panther II. This turret was heavily armored and it featured the pairs of cannons offset from each other and mounted at different heights.

This Flakpanther 341 mit 2cm Flakvierling design never advanced much further…except in terms of Dragon’s superb new 1/72 scale plastic kit! The kit uses the finely detailed chassis of previous kits, to which are added a brand new turret and flak cannons. Parts fit together accurately, as is to be expected of Dragon’s high engineering standards. Although this particular antiaircraft vehicle never entered production, it makes for a fascinating modeling subject that gives plenty of scope for customization and creativity. For starters, it can be painted in an intriguing camouflage scheme!