The return rollers are four rubber tired wheels, not steel wheels. See part one of this kit review for further information and discussion of the box art: Notice that the flap for the gunsight right (our left) of the gun is lowered, open, so the weapon can be fired against low, perhaps ground, targets.

The base color of this Ostwind in this boxart appears odd to me in that it looks pale gray when it should be dark yellow; bad lighting?

The Hasegawa box art for their Ostwind kit shows a similar vehicle to the Maco box art. A significant difference between the two Ostwind artwork is that there is a side visor for the radio operator (and therefore the driver also) and a different headlight; this implies to me an earlier model Pz IV hull. The difference in camouflage scheme between the hull and turret also implies a rebuilt Panzer IV Ausf. G. Other little details like the older style headlight and older sprocket style imply this is an older variant Pz IV hull than the Maco Ostwind model. Go to the in the in-box preview of these two model kits with more information.

Comparing the Assembly & Detail
Both kits are good quality, well molded model kits and pretty comparable in approach to molding the kit parts, though I found Maco parts to be more accurate and delicately molded. The Maco model kit is actually made up of pale amber styrene plastic parts supplied by Maco and tan plastic parts from the Pz IV Ausf. H model by Revell AG, therefore I will refer to the kit as having Maco parts.

Above we have a comparison of the gray Hasegawa turret parts at left, and the pale amber Maco turret parts at right. Both are pretty similar but for a few differences, such as: different shapes to the spent ammunition pan, a different type gunsight. For a good review of the Maco Flak 43 gun kit with ideas for detailing it please go to the review by Al Magnus.

The Hasegawa turret has a thicker wall thickness with locater pins and holes which will show up as small bulges on the inside; the Maco turret we must carefully glue together and align the sides to make sure it is straight. Note how Maco's upper turret part (part-A4) has the notch cut out for the gunsight opening. With the Hasegawa part L-5 we must scribe in this gunsight opening.

The photo above displays the additional detailing to the Hasegawa Flak 43 gun with white styrene strip and rod, and the scratch-built spent ammunition baskets made with wire and fine mesh. On the Maco model below we can see the mix of the light amber color Maco parts and the darker tan Revell parts. I understand the reason for the new upper hull in the Maco kit is that the Ostwind had the turret ring further aft than the turret ring of the Pz IV tank, a fact the Hasegawa kit appears not to have accounted for. If you examine the two kits you may see that the Maco kit turret is accurately mounted further aft.

The engine deck of both models features grab handles simulated with fine brass wire. On the Hasegawa model, representing a rebuilt Pz IV G hull, we have a chipped and damaged Zimmerit coating, and the spare roadwheel box on the port side. With the late war Ostwind model we have the spare roadwheels mounted on the rear on either side of the exhaust pipes, and the four steel return rollers characteristic of a Pz IV Ausf. J.

This rear, overhead view we get another view of the differences in the hull between a 1945 Pz IV and a 1943 Pz IV, such as the difference in tow hook and fire extinguisher positions on the front port side fenders. On the rear of the Hasegawa Ostwind hull we see the large exhaust muffler typical of most Pz IV AFVs; on the rear of the Maco kit I have scratchbuilt two Flammentöter (flame-suppressing) exhaust stacks used on late war Pz IV hulls.

Within the turrets are my scratchbuilt renditions of the mesh spent ammunition baskets on the right side of the Flak 43 gun. These are based on the limited interior photos of the Ostwind that I was able to find.

The Part company etched brass Zimmerit coating designed and sold for the Hasegawa Ostwind and Wirbelwind model kits, applied carefully with cyanoacrylate (super) glue. Unfortunately, when I built my models I did not have any etched brass for the Ostwind turret nor Flak 43 gun.

Part offers an etched brass fret #P72058 for the Hasegawa Ostwind model with what appears to have a near complete Ostwind turret made of brass plate that folds into shape. The great thing about this brass turret is that the armor plate is close to accurate scale thickness. As a nice extra, it has a nice mesh spent-cartridge basket. Brass set #P72056 for the Hasegawa Ostwind offers three frets with new hull fenders, hatches, tools sand turret interior parts. At the time I write this, I have not found any etched brass for the Maco Ostwind kits though I suspect and hope these etched brass sets would also be usable on the Maco models.

If we go to a specialized shop such as Tracks & Troops we may find a plethora of aftermarket brass frets, resin wheels, replacement track and brass gun barrels for the Pz IV family.

As the Ostwind and the Wirbelwind both appear to have been built upon rebuilt Pz IV chassis, the hull could have a Zimmerit coating but not the turret. Part company offers an etched brass Zimmerit set P72-070 in 1/72-scale for the Hasegawa kit so as to build a more accurate Ostwind or Wirbelwind model. My previous experience is that the set assembles well and looks good on the model. Part also offers set 72-071 that has simulated Zimmerit that is chipped and damaged.

These brass Zimmerit pieces may also fit on the Revell Pz IV kit but without guarantee. I notice there are no visors for the hull sides suggesting this set is for a Pz IV Ausf. H rather than a Pz IV Ausf. G chassis, this etched brass Zimmerit fret would not be appropriate for the Maco Ostwind or Wirbelwind kits.

Another view of the gray styrene Hasegawa Ostwind kit minus the upper turret half and the wheels and track. Don't forget to simulate the metal straps holding the muffler on. On the superstructure’s starboard side we see the long box for spare gun barrels mounted on the fender.

The Maco Ostwind kit showing the hull bow modified to show the tow points made from the extended hull side plates, simulated with white styrene sheet. I like that the Maco offers open driver and radio operator hatches while the Hasegawa hull has these hatches molded closed.

Skipping ahead to final assembly: The Maco Ostwind model with soft edge 3-color scheme and light weathering. The paint scheme and details for this late variant Ostwind are based on historical photos I found. Notice the open gunsight flap for ground level targets.

Looking down into the Maco Ostwind with racks of 37-mm ammunition. I am thinking that perhaps the gun sight should be a dark gray of black color?

Now that it is done I see annoying imperfections and mistakes, such as the imperfect seam below the gun barrel where the upper and lower hulls are joined.

The Revell link & length styrene plastic track looks good and is easy to work with. Yes, there are no markings, matching some references photos of a late war Ostwind captured by US troops in 1945.

Two views of the rear quarters of the Maco Ostwind.
Interesting, no tow cable. The location of the spare roadwheels is similar to those on the Sturmpanzer Brummbär.….

The completed Hasegawa Ostwind model finished in overall winter white with no visible markings. The visor on the starboard hull side for the radio operator confirm a rebuilt Pz. IV Ausf. G or F hull. The soft plastic tracks with the Hasegawa Pz IV kits are their worst feature and really should be replaced for a good display model. We can use a number of aftermarket Pz IV tracks, or do what I did and cover the track in ice and snow to mask the poor track detail; I knew I did not have an award winning model with this kit so did not care much.

Don't forget to add the cross bar to hold the spare roadwheels in their storage box.

Based on a winter of 1944-1945 photo the only marking is a single Balkenkreuz on the rear, set into the Zimmerit texture with lots of decal setting solution. The tow cable has been reproduced from a teabag string coated in white glue.

The Ostwind crew members are old Hasegawa figures from the Sd.Kfz. 7/2 model; very mediocre quality figures but usable with some detailing, cut to fit into the turret, and hoods added to simulate winter clothing. In this close-up photo I see an annoying poor job of scribing the gunsight flap right (our left) of the gun.

The bow machine gun and the 37-mm gun barrel has been painted dark gray and then rubbed down to a light gloss with graphite from a soft pencil.

Conclusions
Both 1/72 scale model kits build into a convincing small-scale reproduction of the Ostwind Flakpanzer. The Maco Ostwind and Wirbelwind kits are clearly superior in detail, tracks and suspension and accuracy. If I were a novice or wargamer I would choose the Hasegawa kits which I assess to be more robust.

Both models were purchased by the modeler.

References

• PANZER TRACTS No. 12 Flak Selbstfahrlafetten and Flakpanzer, by Thomas Jentz and Hillary Doyle, Darlington Productions (1998).
• Flakpanzer, Wydawnictwo Militaria No. 18, by J. Ledwoch and H. Trojca (1995). ISBN 83-86209-26-7
• German Medium Flak In Combat, by Werner Muller, Schiffer Military History (1991). ISBN 0-88740-351-4
• Achtung Panzer website
• Nuts & Bolts Vol. 13 Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind & Ostwind, by Detlev Terlisten et al. (This volume appears to have been replaced with an updated Nuts & Bolts Volume 25)
• Philippe Bonnet's rendition of the Hasegawa Ostwind kit.

Hasegawa, Revell kits can be purchased from