Product Description
The Kugelblitz is an anti-aircraft tank equipped with a fully enclosed turret developed by the German Wehrmacht during World War II. In January 1944m, the Ministry of Munitions proposed a plan to mount a turret equipped with twin 3cm anti-aircraft cannons, which had been under development for installment on U-boats, on the chassis of a Panzer IV, making it an anti-aircraft tank. Since it was not possible to mount the U-boat turret directly on the Panzer IV, the turret had to be redesigned, and development of a new anti-aircraft tank began in April 1944. One anti-aircraft tank, which was given the name "Kugelblitz" due to its spherical turret shape, was put on display in October of the same year; two prototype tanks were completed in February 1945, and the first mass-produced tank was built in March 1945. Two vehicles had been completed. Mass production of 30 tanks per month was planned from March 1945, but it was decided to discontinue production of the Panzer IV or the III/IV self-propelled gun chassis, so the chassis was changed to the 38(t), an advanced version. A plan to change to (d) was floated, but it ended up being just a plan. There is also evidence that in September 1944, the BMM company that manufactured the Hetzer produced drawings of a vehicle equipped with a "Kugelblitz" anti-aircraft turret on a 38(t) chassis.
This 1/35-scale model kit from Takom features main hatches that can be built opened or closed; the tracks are link-and-length type. Photo-etched parts, clear parts, and decals for three versions are included.
