Flakpanzer IV Möbelwagen, Sd Kfz 161/3
3.7cm FlaK auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV (Sf)

The Möbelwagen (furniture van) mounted a 3.7cm FlaK43 gun on a Panzer IV hull. The original modification (early 1943) of the hull by Krupp was designed to fit the 2cm Flakvierling, but it was never adopted as the quad 2cm didn’t have enough hitting power to bring down most Allied ground-attack aircraft. The modification mounted a wider superstructure on which hinged armoured shields surrounded the weapon.

These plates had two basic operating positions during combat: the shields could be lowered, hinging outwards, allowing the gun 360 degrees traverse for flat or low-level firing, or they could be half-closed, being pinned together to hang slightly open. In this position they had notches that allowed the gun full rotation, but only for firing at airborne targets. In the fully closed position the shields would give the crew some protection from small arms fire and shell fragments while the vehicle was in motion.

The new 3.7cm FlaK43 armed design was only approved on the proviso that it would be a stopgap until better Flakpanzers could be created. Despite this it remained in production from March 1944 to March 1945 with a total of 240 vehicles produced. It was first issued to Flugabwehrzug (Anti-aircraft platoons) of Panzerdivisions stationed on the Western Front in April 1944 where, despite its stopgap status, it did extremely well.

To minimise the impact on Panzer IV production the Möbelwagen was built on damaged chassis returned to the factory for repairs.It was eventually replaced (at least in theory) by the Wirbelwind and the Ostwind, which provided better armoured protection for the crew and full rotation when firing at ground and air targets.

In Flames Of War

The Möbelwagen can be field in the Panzerkompanie Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon instead of an Sd Kfz 7/1 (Quad 2cm) or Flakpanzer 38(t) (page 22 Festung Europa).

The Möbelwagen is Fully-tracked with Armour Front 0, Side 0 and Top 0. It is armed with the 3.7cm FlaK43 gun with Range 24”/60cm, ROF 4, Anti-tank 6, Firepower 4+ and is a Anti-aircraft weapon.