8.8cm FLUGABWEHRKANONE 18

8.8cm FLUGABWEHRKANONE 18
Image: 8.8cm Flak 18
Year1933
Weapon TypeMedium Anti-Aircraft Gun
Origin & DesignerGermany/Krupp
Numbers Produced20.754 (Flak 18/36/37)
CrewCommander
Elevation Setter
Azimuth Setter
Fuze Setter
Lateral Deflection Setter
2 x Loaders
3 x Ammunition Bearers
Calibre88mm (88x571R)
Elevation-3° to +85°
Traverse360°
BreechHorizontal Semi-Automatic Sliding Breech
RecoilHydropneumatic
Gun SightFlaK ZF.20E
Gun MountPivoted Cruciform Platform
Carriage2 x Sd.Anh.201
Trailers[@trailers]
Gun Shield10mm
Armoured Plate[@armoured_plate]
Barrel Length4.930m (L/56)
Overall Length7.62m
Width2.30m
Height2.41m
WeightWeight in Traction: 7.400 kg
Weight in Action: 5000 kg
Round Weight9.4 kg (HE) 10.20 kg (AP)
Muzzle Velocity820 m/s (HE) 930 m/s (AP)
Feed[@feed]
Magazine Capacity[@magazine_capacity]
Practical Rate of Fire15 r.p.m.
Rate of Fire[@rate_of_fire]
Maximum Rate of Fire20 r.p.m.
Maximum Ceiling9.900m
Maximum Ground Range14.680m
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration100mm @ 1000m @ 30°
TractionMotorised (Sd.Kfz 7)
Variants[@variants]
NotesThe Flak 18 was the first in a line of 88mm anti-aircraft guns. It was mounted on a cruciform carriage and pedestal and transported on twin Sd.Ah.201 trailers. The barrel was one piece design and had a semi-automatic breech. It was blooded during the Spanish civil war and proved its versatility not only as an anti-aircraft gun but also in the ground role. Some models were fitted with a large gun shield. It was towed by the Sd.Kfz halftrack and saw service in on all fronts.