German - Flakpanzer I - 2 cm Flak 38(Sf.) ausf Panzer I Ausf.A

The German Flakpanzer I – 2cm FlaK 38 (Sf.) auf Panzer I Ausf. A was an early self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle developed in 1941 to give frontline units mobile air-defence capability using available equipment. Based on the small Panzer I Ausf. A chassis, the turret was removed and replaced with an open fighting compartment mounting the 2cm FlaK 38 autocannon, a fast-firing weapon effective against low-flying aircraft as well as infantry and light vehicles. Armour protection was minimal—mostly 13mm plates—leaving the gun crew largely exposed, but the vehicle’s light weight and compact size made it easy to manoeuvre and conceal.

Around 24 vehicles were produced, and they saw service mainly in North Africa and on the Eastern Front, where their mobility allowed them to support advancing Panzer units. However, the Panzer I chassis was already considered obsolete, offering limited ammunition storage, poor stability when firing, and insufficient armour. Despite these shortcomings, the Flakpanzer I played a valuable stopgap role, marking one of Germany’s earliest attempts to mount dedicated anti-aircraft guns on armoured platforms before more effective designs like the Flakpanzer 38(t), Wirbelwind, and Ostwind emerged.

Multi part resin model.

Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.