W Britain German 88mm Flak 36, Dual Purpose Gun includes 3 crew figures 25059

  

The 88mm Flak gun was possibly one of the most recognised German weapons of World War Two. The gun was developed between the two world wars, and to avoid the restrictions put in place by the Allies on Germany's military, the first model was given the designation Flak 18, the year the Great War ended.

Flak' stood for Flugabwehrkanone, meaning anti-aircraft gun. With Adolf Hitler's ascent to power newer models of weapons were given dates based on the year of introduction, models 1936 and 1937 following with improvements on model 1918.

Although designed as an anti-aircraft gun, the single piece barrel of the new gun was set on a complex mounting that allowed the gun to be used against aerial or ground targets. The versatile carriage allowed the 88 to be fired in a limited anti-tank mode while still mounted on the wheels. The crew could emplace it in as little as two-and-a-half minutes.

W Britain's new limited edition model represents a Flak 36 with the improved two-piece barrel (for easier replacement of worn liners) and an armoured shield to provide some protection for the gunners. This model also introduced the new heavier dual-wheeled carriage that allowed it to be fired with limited traverse and elevation while still mounted on the wheels and without its outriggers. The 88 fired three main types of ammunition: - High explosive Sprgr (Sprenggranate) shells with spring-wound or inertia-operated time fuse (up to 30 seconds) for air targets.

High explosive shells with percussion fuse (impact or 0.11 second delay) for used against fixed targets or ground troops. Armour piercing Pzgr (Panzergranate) shells with tracer and small base-fused bursting charge for use against tanks. German 88mm Flak 36, Dual Purpose Gun With 3 Crew.

14 piece set with resin gun and 3 die-cast figures in box. 56/58mm hand painted die-cast figures and accessories from W.