WW2 era German 88 mm anti aircraft gun

[spender]

What was so special about WW2 era German 88 mm anti aircraft gun later used to great effect as an anti tank gun?

 

[Integral]

First: caliber, a big shell makes a big hole. Second a 1000 m/s Muzzle velocity gave it a flat trajectory and the ability to punch through lots of amour. By comparison other German AT guns where the 50mm with ~800m/s muzzle velocity and the 75mm @ ~933m/s.Look here for more info.

 

[spender]

Great site ! thanks Integral.

 

[Q_Goest]

Just a note, take a look at how long the barrel on the 88 is when compared to a Sherman tank's 75 mm. One variable in cannon design is barrel length. The longer the barrel, the more time the projectile has to be accelerated, the more kinetic energy it has. In general, the longer the barrel, the higher the velocity, the more kinetic energy the projectile has to punch through armour.

 

[LunchBox]

In general, the longer the barrel, the higher the velocity, the more kinetic energy the projectile has to punch through armour.

... and it did it so wonderfully well...

Cheers...

 

[spender]

Man ! Germans had some good stuff during WW2. They were like 20 or more years ahead in everything they lay their hands on.Great engineers those Germans are !

 

[Integral]

Now for a pitch for my favorite set of games. The http://battlefront.com/ series of games is a very good simulation of the capability of the weapons and armor of the day encapsulated in a very playable game system. Each player plots his orders on a 3d battle field, then from these plots a 1 min movie is created, each player then watches his movie, he can see his units (infantry squads an individual vehicles) move and fire as ordered, with the battlefield delays and uncertainties factored in. Leadership, command and experience are significant factors. Great series of games, the original Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord can now be found in the cut rate game shelfs for around $10.

 

[Francis M]

The gun also had some great optics for sighting targets. A good overall design, to the point that it went from being a fixed platform mounted gun to being used used as a main battle tank gun.

 

[SpaceTiger]

This thread is so disturbing...

I'm guessing you guys aren't Europeans.

 

[Cliff_J]

SpaceTiger - the performance of a weapon is completely different from the way its used or the people it is used on or the wars it is used in. Germany is now an ally as are Italy and Japan.

 

[stoned]

Man ! Germans had some good stuff during WW2. They were like 20 or more years ahead in everything they lay their hands on.Great engineers those Germans are !

Do you know that famous Russian AK 47(kalashnikov) is nothing but copy of WW2 era German MP44 sturmgewehr ?
MP44 was first assault rifle,over 500,000 were produced in the last stages of war and vehrmacht used it on all fronts.Russian got their hands on few examples and copied it,and that is how Russians "invented" Kalashnikov.