The Flakpanzer IV series were self-propelled anti-aircraft guns based around the common Panzer IV chassis and designed to keep up with the tanks in a context of increasing Allied air superiority. Most were built on the hulls of damaged tanks sent for repair. The first of these was commonly known as the Möbelwagen ('Moving van') with featured a box-like open-top superstructure mounting a 3.7cm FlaK43 gun. The superstructure consisted of hinged armor plates which could be lowered to various degress in order to allow the gun full traverse even for a flat trajectory of fire. The Möbelwagen was meant as a stop-gap version before the introduction of the Wirbelwind ('Whirlwind') and Ostwind ('East wind'). There were two of the most recognizable German vehicles of World War II due to their multi-sided turrets. The Wirbelwind featured a nine-sided turret housing a quad-mounted 2cm FV 38 cannon. Despite being capable of laying down a formidable barrage which was also extremely effective against infantry and lightly armored vehicles, the guns lacked range. This resulted in the development of the Ostwind, which reverted to the same gun as the Möbelwagen, but in a six-sided turrent that was also highly distinctive. The final development of the Flakpanzer IV was the Kugelblitz with a fully enclosed turrent and twin MK 103 cannon but only a small number were built. The Flakpanzer IV series were issued to Flugabwehrzug (anti-aircraft) platoons of Panzer divisions but despite their effectiveness, were built in too few numbers to make a significant impact on the battlefield.

The 3.7cm Flak auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV (sf) (SdKfz 161/3) was the official designation of what would be better known as the Möbelwagen, which was designed in 1943 with production commencing early the following year. This was followed by the Flakpanzer IV/2cm Vierling (SdKfz 161/4) or Wirbelwind later in 1944. Armor protection varied depending on the variant of the Panzer IV (Ausf F and G) that was used for the chassis. The Flakpanzer IV/2cm Vierling or Ostwind (no SdKfz number assigned though often incorrectly labeled SdKfz 161/5) was the only other vehicle built in numbers (though still just a trickle). The Leichter Flakpanzer IV (3cm) or Kugelblitz was the final production variant but the war ended with only two units built.