Best AA weapon - Aircraft of World War II

elmilitaro · 05-16-2005, 02:44 PM

What do ya say was the best AA weapon of WWII. To me it was that shell the U.S. invented that could be fired out of any artillery piece like the 75 and above. It contained a radio in it, it would explode when it waves were close to the aircraft not on but close causing maximum damage.

mosquitoman · 05-16-2005, 03:24 PM

the German 88, by far the best AA gun

plan_D · 05-16-2005, 04:11 PM

I disagree. The FlaK 18 & 36(37) 88mm was a good overall weapon with many uses but as an AA platform it was similar to all other heavy AA weapons.

I think the Bofors 40mm was the best because it was a fast firing and effective low to medium altitude AA cannon.

The KugelBlitz would have been the best but that never got put into production.

Erich · 05-17-2005, 03:08 PM

don't forget the incredible fast firing 2cm Flakvierling used in a marriade of roles in all the theaters with the Wehrmacht and W-SS.

view from the Prinz Eugen now in US hands.....

BombTaxi · 05-18-2005, 06:11 PM

This question is a case of horses for courses. As a low altitude weapon, the title undoubtedley goes to the FlakVierling. For medium alt, I would say the 40mm Bofors, and for heavy guns, the US 5" piece mounted on BBs, CVs and cruisers. Not only did it contain more fragmentation material than the 88, but by the later stages of the war it was proximity fused, making even a near miss fatal.

Erich · 05-19-2005, 12:52 PM

what ! this isn't even considered ?

128mm twins

the lancaster kicks ass · 05-19-2005, 01:09 PM

a nightmaire for any bomber crews.......

plan_D · 05-19-2005, 01:09 PM

The British had twin 3.7 inch - automatic loading as well, I am informed.

trackend · 05-19-2005, 05:56 PM

Best anti aircraft weapon to my way of thinking was (for low level ) the Vickers multi barrelled PomPom. 1000 rounds per minute of 40mm cannon shells and (for high level ) the 88mm flak although the 3.7inch AA gun did some good work as well
(all images are from my personel collection)

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 06-21-2005, 06:31 PM

The only reason I would go with the 88 is because of its versatility. It was not only used as a Flak gun but as an anti tank and even anti shipping. But I am aware that there were better Flak systems out there.

Glider · 06-21-2005, 06:41 PM

For a heavy AA gun it had to be the American 5in L38. It had a good arc of fire, the proximity fuse, a good rate of fire, decent anti ship shell and it didn't weigh that much. Important as ships tended to get top heavy which is why most USA destroyers lost most of their torpedo's.

Light AA gun the British twin 40mm mounted on a hazelmere mounting. The gun was good, the mounting in some case gyro stabalised and it could be aimed automatically using the radar making it deadly.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 06-21-2005, 06:55 PM

Yes that was a good one, the 40mm and for the heavy I do like the 128s.

CharlesBronson · 06-26-2005, 01:10 PM

B-24 going down after took a direct 88 mm hit, the Davis wing simply collapsed.

trackend · 06-26-2005, 03:43 PM

Found an 88 pic a flash eliminator would be handy

the lancaster kicks ass · 06-26-2005, 04:34 PM

05-16-2005, 02:44 PM	#1
elmilitaro Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 405	Best AA weapon What do ya say was the best AA weapon of WWII. To me it was that shell the U.S. invented that could be fired out of any artillery piece like the 75 and above. It contained a radio in it, it would explode when it waves were close to the aircraft not on but close causing maximum damage.

05-16-2005, 03:24 PM	#2
mosquitoman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saffron Walden/Sheffield Posts: 2,991	the German 88, by far the best AA gun __________________ When you realise that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually an oncoming train, you know it's time to run for your life

05-16-2005, 04:11 PM	#3
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	I disagree. The FlaK 18 & 36(37) 88mm was a good overall weapon with many uses but as an AA platform it was similar to all other heavy AA weapons. I think the Bofors 40mm was the best because it was a fast firing and effective low to medium altitude AA cannon. The KugelBlitz would have been the best but that never got put into production. __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club.

05-18-2005, 06:11 PM	#5
BombTaxi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brownhills, W. Mids, UK Posts: 1,189	This question is a case of horses for courses. As a low altitude weapon, the title undoubtedley goes to the FlakVierling. For medium alt, I would say the 40mm Bofors, and for heavy guns, the US 5" piece mounted on BBs, CVs and cruisers. Not only did it contain more fragmentation material than the 88, but by the later stages of the war it was proximity fused, making even a near miss fatal. __________________ Good generals think about tactics. Great generals think about logistics. "If freedom is to be saved and enlarged, poverty must be ended. There is no other solution." - Nye Bevan "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee" - John Donne, Meditation XVII

05-19-2005, 01:09 PM	#7
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	a nightmaire for any bomber crews....... __________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

06-21-2005, 06:31 PM	#10
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 34,063	The only reason I would go with the 88 is because of its versatility. It was not only used as a Flak gun but as an anti tank and even anti shipping. But I am aware that there were better Flak systems out there. __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

06-21-2005, 06:41 PM	#11
Glider Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 3,910	For a heavy AA gun it had to be the American 5in L38. It had a good arc of fire, the proximity fuse, a good rate of fire, decent anti ship shell and it didn't weigh that much. Important as ships tended to get top heavy which is why most USA destroyers lost most of their torpedo's. Light AA gun the British twin 40mm mounted on a hazelmere mounting. The gun was good, the mounting in some case gyro stabalised and it could be aimed automatically using the radar making it deadly.

06-21-2005, 06:55 PM	#12
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 34,063	Yes that was a good one, the 40mm and for the heavy I do like the 128s. __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

06-26-2005, 04:34 PM	#15
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	__________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

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