88 mm Flak 37 Anti-Aircraft Gun |Barrel length (m)||4.69|
|Projectile weight (kg)||9.07| |Fire rate||15 per minute| The
renowned ‘88’ The most famous artillery weapon of the Second
World War. German propaganda created the myth of the ‘88’ as a
wonder gun. Feared by its enemies and revered by its users, it
was very effective against aircraft and tanks. In an emergency
it could be fired on its road wheels. Developed by Krupp and
Rheinmetall in collaboration with Bofors of Sweden. Designed for
a lighter shell than the British 3.7-inch gun, it had a lighter
mounting. This improved mobility – the ‘88’ could be brought
into action faster. As an anti-aircraft (flak) gun, the 88 was
responsible for many RAF bomber casualties. It was extremely
successful as an anti-tank gun and became the main armament for
the famous Tiger I tank. This ‘88’ was brought from Spain where
it was intended for coastal defence. Well over 18,000 guns of
this family were built. You literally had to fly through a wall
of flak. You were often g