12,8 cm FlaK 40

The 12,8 cm FlaK 40 was a German Anti-aircraft gun used during the Second world war. It was studied in order to replace the Canon of 88 mm but it did not supplant it. It was the anti-aircraft gun most effective of the war, and like the 88, it was declined in version anti-tank device.

History

Its development started in 1936 when the company Rheinmetall Borsig repotted the invitation to tender. The first prototype was completed fine 1937 and was considered to be interesting after its first tests. However, the gun weighed 12 tons in position of shooting, making it difficult to deploy and move. Thus as of 1938, of the new solutions were brought.

The found solution had to simplify the platform of fire based on the idea that this gun would be assembled only on one concrete slab. Nevertheless the system increased the mass of the gun to 26,5 tons, making it impossible to tractor draw on the ground. In August 1944, 450 guns had been built, 250 intended to equip the towers anti-aircraft around Berlin and the others assembled on coaches on rails.

Versions AA fired a shell from 26 kg with an initial speed of 880 m/s to 10.675 m, compared with the 88; the 128 used 4 times more powder to launch the explosive load.

Versions AT fired a shell from 26,4 kg which can penetrate 200 mm of shielding to short range, 120 mm with 2.000 Mr. the 88 had the same characteristics at short distance but penetrated only 72 mm to 2.000 m (a little more for the versions 88 mm PaK 43).

Alternatives

12,8 cm FlaK 40
12,8 cm FlaK 40 Zwilling 2 guns twin, gives rhythm shooting of 20 blows/min
12,8 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 44 (12,8 cm Pak 44), version anti-tank device on axles with wheels. Only some specimens were carried out, and the majority re-installed on the heavy Hunter of tanks Jagdtiger.

External links

http://www.429sqn.ca/flak.htm
LemaireSoft
Armor penetration counts

Refer

http://www.ww2guide.com/flak.shtml#triplea

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