VERSUCHSFLAKWAGEN 8.8CM FLAK 37 AUF SONDERFAHRGESTELL (Pz Sfl. IVc)

Description

The Versuchsflakwagen Fur 8.8cm Flak.41 was also known as the Grille 10 named after the Cricket insect. The Grille 10 was the first in a series of armoured self propelled guns dating from 1942. The hull used components from several vehicles but mainly the Panzer IV and SdKfz 9. The gun was mounted on the rear hull and protected by hinged side armour which folded down when in action.Three prototypes were built in 1944, first mounting the 8.8cm Flak.37 and later the Flak.41. One vehicle was refitted with the Flak.37 and sent to Italy for combat trials, serving with Flakartillerie Abt (Sf) 304 attached to the 26th Panzer Division. Trials were considered a success and a second series of Grille 10’s were ordered, but on Panther hull.Other members of the Grille family were built on the Tiger II hull including the Grille 17 with 17cm gun, Grille 21 with 21cm mortar, Grille 30 with 30.5cm mortar and the Grille 42 with 42cm mortar. (Scale : 1/35e)