By late 1944 experiments were taking place with night vision equipment – was this the weapon to turn the tide of war in Germany’s favour?
The ZG 1229 Vampir, was an active infrared device developed for the Wehrmacht and fitted to the Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle. 310 units were reported as being delivered to the Wermacht from early 1944 but actual combat use is believed to have been from February 1945 where reports from the Eastern front consist of snipers shooting at night with the aid of ‘peculiar non-shining torches coupled with enormous optical sights’ mounted on their rifles.
The Nachtjäger (night-hunter) would have to carry the Vampir (weighing approx. 2.25 kilograms 5 lbs.) as well as a 13.5 kilogram (about 30 lbs.) wooden cased battery for the light, and a second battery fitted inside a gas mask container to power the image converter, all strapped to a Tragegestell 39 (pack frame 1939).
This pack contains:
- 5 Infantry
Note: Models supplied unassembled and unpainted. Metal parts.
Scale: 28mm.
