Good day. I am building an Italeri Ostwind as part of my Flakpanzer collection and I am in need of some help on the zimmerit.

Based on my research and some photos I found (seen below), Ostwinds were based on early Panzer IV chassis which means that zimmerit was applied generously on the hull.

Here are some photos I found on the net, I forgot where I found them, though.








Here is my kit right now. I marked in red all areas I am sure have zimm. My question is did the areas marked in blue and green have zimmerit on them? Thanks very much!





Come to think of it, I'm also not sure if the area surrounding the driver's and radio operator's hatch had zimm as well. Could anyone shed some light regarding this issue? Thanks again.

The photos in your post (and the Italeri boxart) are probably of the Ostwind prototype which was based on a reused hull with zimmerit

This photo (from Panzernet) is evidently the inspiration for the boxart and shows the zimmerit application reasonably well



On the other hand, production Ostwind may have looked very different as in the example in this thread, photographed after the end of WW2

http://forum.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/t/11523

David

Thanks for the info David. I had a hard time locating references for this little-known panzer. According to Achtungpanzer.com, the prototype Ostwind was successfully tested during the Ardennes offensive and returned to the factory undamaged.

The photo seems to show that the fenders only had zimm on the front portion (seen in red)


Is this correct? Or are my eyes failing me again?

Thanks for the much-needed info

I'd be very sceptical about the content of Achtung Panzer

Here's a better shot (Panzernet again) showing the extent of the zimmerit on the track guards



David

Wow!!! I guess that photo is all I'll ever need.

Thanks very much for your help.

Joe

I have researched this one as well as it is in my stash.

There were also Ostwinds without zimmerit and what seems to be an Ostwind with Zimmerit on the rear hull, but no zimmerit on the hull sides. I guess since the Ostwinds were build on repaired hulls you could get away with doing a lot of combinations. Pictures in this tread

However, if you want to be on the safe side and build a documented vehicle you should go for the one in the pictures in this tread as already discussed.

Good day!

I'm uncertain that this Ostwind coverd with Zimmerit all around. I can see it on the back, but the side is not clear. I try to edit the pictures and use effects, but not works... If anyone can help me i'm very happy! Thanks in advance!





Happy New Year!

The Ostwinds were built at the same facility that constructed the Wirbelwinds. They used reconditioned Pz IV G, H, and J hulls (not too many Js) which is why you see variations all over the map in terms of zim locations or no zim at all. There's no "one size fits all" answer for accurate zim patterns as not all of the Ostwinds (or Wirbelwinds) were photographed or have surfaced as extant samples. Therefore it's entirely reasonable (unless seeking to recreate a specific individual vehicle from photos that do exist) to see variatons when building either an Ostwind or Wirbelwind and still remain accurate. To know if a zim pattern "works", you need to look at zim patterns used for Pz IV Gs and Hs and work from there to determine where zim should be applied on an Ost/Wirbelwind.

Joseph, the first pictures are from Nuts and Bolts book and they feature the prototype vehicle. It has Ausf G chassis, additional front armor plate on the lower hull and zimmerit.


The other images in the thread I havent seen before and they appear to be production vehicles that have turret different from yours.

Konrad, where you got these?

I think this is a unique "fabrication". The turret probably a final configuration, but I see 4 pair idler wheel (looking side: two steel and two rubber ) and "early" driving sprocket(s). Maybe side hatches and hooks. Intresting for me is the spare running wheels on the back (like Möbelwagen, Sturmpanzer IV, Jagdpanzer IV L/48). Lower storage box for flak 43 cannon (the "prototype" box is higher).
I think this Pz IV chassis got an overhaul or an "early" (=> H, G) chassis... but somewhere I read that Ostwinds got new chassis...
If this flakpanzer got zimmerit only his back I think this is really ridiculous...
It looks good conditions... maybe fuel lack or mechanical problems... the zimmerit chipped overly?? The painting still good.
I found these on a french forum: Colleurs de plastique
I'd like to build this scene and it good to be known what's the situation for the zimmerit. (I "wish" a full zimmerit wrapped Ostwind.)
Sorry for my bad english


Maybe a final production:

http://www.worldweapons.eu/3-Armour/Germany/PzKpfw.IV%20-%20Sd.Kfz.161-4/index_armor_draw_germany-sdkfz141-4-ostwind.html

Nové Benátky:

Good day!

Can it be an edge on the back of the turret?

what you mark with questions - straps for cover, and there are hooks on sides for the crew to climb in I guess.
There is a hatch on the side, so it is Ausf G overhall I assume.
The thing is that Wirbelwinds were done at the repair facilities where they could get a mixture of parts from different Ausfs. So maybe that was the case here too.

Yes they probably straps for cover, like on this Wirbelwind:



For climbing I think they use a rod like a "U" and this is a "field configuration".
Behing the soldier:



For the zimmerit I think next: Use it on the sides, on the fenders, the front and the back (like on the prototype and some Pz IV-s). I don't use it near the driver and radio operator hatches and near the road wheels/return rollers.

I think Zimm should be also on sides of the hull.

I have this Eduard (35537) Zimmerit:





I'm a little bit hazy about zimmerit on the hull, but looks good and some Wirbelwind also have it. Unfortunately the hull is another unclear area.
Thanks for your help!

Hi there!
Any ideas what happened with these running wheels?

The PzKpfw IV suspension had each pair of road wheels jointly sprung and rotating from a central mounting point:



This allowed the road wheels to rock forward and back, or to be pushed upward when going over a bump. However, it didn't allow for much travel down, so the road wheels couldn't follow depressions well -- if the tank encountered a depression, or had the front or back elevated by a rise, one or both of the middle two road wheel pairs could be left unable to reach the ground.