Bandai
Complete kit for building a Mercedes L4500 with armored cab and anti-aircraft gun
The Mercedes-Benz L4500A mounting the 5 cm FlaK 41 was an extremely rare self-propelled anti-aircraft platform used by the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Developed from 1942 onwards, the vehicle was created by modifying the off-road-capable Mercedes-Benz L4500A truck, with the heavy 5 cm FlaK 41 anti-aircraft gun mounted on its cargo bed. The aim of this design was to provide motorized units with a mobile air-defense capability offering greater range and penetrating power than the widely used 2 cm and 3.7 cm anti-aircraft guns. Unlike the more common anti-aircraft trucks armed with lighter weapons, however, this version remained a rarity. Current research suggests that only a few experimental or pre-production vehicles were built, with their deployment largely restricted to training and homeland defense duties. Photographic evidence indicates that at least two vehicles were constructed with the 5 cm FlaK 41.
The vehicle utilized the chassis of the Mercedes-Benz L4500A, a heavy, all-wheel-drive truck designed for off-road use and powered by a water-cooled, six-cylinder OM 67/4 diesel engine producing 112 hp (82 kW). It featured a five-speed transmission with a low-range transfer case, a payload capacity of approximately 4.5 tonnes, and leaf-sprung axles; it was specifically engineered for military operations in challenging terrain. While some early anti-aircraft trucks featured an armored driver's cab, the known vehicles mounting the 5 cm FlaK generally had a simplified, open cab to save weight and accommodate the heavy weapon. The cargo bed was reinforced with a specialized firing platform equipped with fold-out outriggers designed to absorb the recoil forces generated during firing. The 5 cm FlaK 41 was developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig to bridge the performance gap between the 3.7 cm Flak 36/37 and the 8.8 cm Flak. It fired 50 mm high-explosive shells at a muzzle velocity of approximately 840 m/s and achieved a theoretical rate of fire of up to 180 rounds per minute, although the practical rate was significantly lower. Its elevation range extended from -10° to +90°, allowing it to engage both aerial and ground targets. Despite its impressive ballistic performance, the weapon proved technically problematic. The heavy weight of the ammunition, feeding difficulties, and a comparatively slow traverse speed significantly hampered its effectiveness against fast-moving aircraft. In total, only about 60 guns were manufactured, making the FlaK 41 one of the rarest German anti-aircraft guns of the war.
Even the combination of the L4500A truck and the 5 cm FlaK could not fully compensate for these drawbacks. Although the robust all-wheel-drive chassis offered sufficient load-bearing capacity, the assembly was only stable enough for firing when its outriggers were deployed. At the same time, the gun crew remained largely unprotected, save for the gun's small shield. Given the low production numbers, high manufacturing complexity, and mediocre operational record, the concept was not pursued further. Instead, the Wehrmacht continued to rely primarily on anti-aircraft trucks mounting the 2 cm Flakvierling 38 or the 3.7 cm Flak 37 - weapons that were easier to manufacture and had a much more proven track record in frontline service. Today, the Mercedes-Benz L4500A mounting the 5 cm FlaK 41 ranks among the rarest German anti-aircraft vehicles of World War II, known chiefly through a handful of historical photographs and contemporary documents.
- 1:35 scale
- Dimensions LxW (built): 223.2 x 123.5 mm
- 420+ parts
- Complete powertrain assembly with engine gearbox, differential case and suspension units.
- The tires are hollow rubber with a very good tread pattern
- Flak 41 included
- including photo-etched parts
- unbuilt, unpainted
- Paint and glue not included
| Trumpeter has several Mercedes L4500s in its range or will be bringing them onto the market in the future. If already available, you can buy them here: |
The Mercedes-Benz L4500A mounting the 5 cm FlaK 41 was an extremely rare self-propelled anti-aircraft platform used by the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Developed from 1942 onwards, the vehicle was created by modifying the off-road-capable Mercedes-Benz L4500A truck, with the heavy 5 cm FlaK 41 anti-aircraft gun mounted on its cargo bed. The aim of this design was to provide motorized units with a mobile air-defense capability offering greater range and penetrating power than the widely used 2 cm and 3.7 cm anti-aircraft guns. Unlike the more common anti-aircraft trucks armed with lighter weapons, however, this version remained a rarity. Current research suggests that only a few experimental or pre-production vehicles were built, with their deployment largely restricted to training and homeland defense duties. Photographic evidence indicates that at least two vehicles were constructed with the 5 cm FlaK 41.
The vehicle utilized the chassis of the Mercedes-Benz L4500A, a heavy, all-wheel-drive truck designed for off-road use and powered by a water-cooled, six-cylinder OM 67/4 diesel engine producing 112 hp (82 kW). It featured a five-speed transmission with a low-range transfer case, a payload capacity of approximately 4.5 tonnes, and leaf-sprung axles; it was specifically engineered for military operations in challenging terrain. While some early anti-aircraft trucks featured an armored driver's cab, the known vehicles mounting the 5 cm FlaK generally had a simplified, open cab to save weight and accommodate the heavy weapon. The cargo bed was reinforced with a specialized firing platform equipped with fold-out outriggers designed to absorb the recoil forces generated during firing. The 5 cm FlaK 41 was developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig to bridge the performance gap between the 3.7 cm Flak 36/37 and the 8.8 cm Flak. It fired 50 mm high-explosive shells at a muzzle velocity of approximately 840 m/s and achieved a theoretical rate of fire of up to 180 rounds per minute, although the practical rate was significantly lower. Its elevation range extended from -10° to +90°, allowing it to engage both aerial and ground targets. Despite its impressive ballistic performance, the weapon proved technically problematic. The heavy weight of the ammunition, feeding difficulties, and a comparatively slow traverse speed significantly hampered its effectiveness against fast-moving aircraft. In total, only about 60 guns were manufactured, making the FlaK 41 one of the rarest German anti-aircraft guns of the war.
Even the combination of the L4500A truck and the 5 cm FlaK could not fully compensate for these drawbacks. Although the robust all-wheel-drive chassis offered sufficient load-bearing capacity, the assembly was only stable enough for firing when its outriggers were deployed. At the same time, the gun crew remained largely unprotected, save for the gun's small shield. Given the low production numbers, high manufacturing complexity, and mediocre operational record, the concept was not pursued further. Instead, the Wehrmacht continued to rely primarily on anti-aircraft trucks mounting the 2 cm Flakvierling 38 or the 3.7 cm Flak 37 - weapons that were easier to manufacture and had a much more proven track record in frontline service. Today, the Mercedes-Benz L4500A mounting the 5 cm FlaK 41 ranks among the rarest German anti-aircraft vehicles of World War II, known chiefly through a handful of historical photographs and contemporary documents.
Suitable Accessories
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