88s

[Ack-Ack]

I could be wrong, but didnt 88's used as AA have an altitude "floor" where their shells would not explode below? Something like 10k? Am I off on this? If it is the case though, it wouldn't be too terrible attacking an alerted town, as town guns could get the low stuff, and 88's the higher stuff.

Not sure if it had a mimimul level, not sure that it did because of the various roles it was used for.  For AA work, it had an effective ceiling of around 26,000 feet and a maximum ceiling of 35,000 feet.


ack-ack

[Nemisis]

I think the Japanese had trouble with their altitude fuses, and so couldn't set them below 5k. But I've never heard of the Germans having problems along those lines. But that brings up an important question, ho are you going to hit a strafing A/C? If its at about the same alt as you won't your shells explode in or right infront of the gun?

[Ack-Ack]

I think the Japanese had trouble with their altitude fuses, and so couldn't set them below 5k. But I've never heard of the Germans having problems along those lines. But that brings up an important question, ho are you going to hit a strafing A/C? If its at about the same alt as you won't your shells explode in or right infront of the gun?

That's why in most cases, there were also machine gun and lower caliber cannon AA guns in addition to the 88 mm AA guns to deal with low level flying planes.  In game, you'd have to almost have the same thing, maybe up an Ostwind or Wirblewind for low level threats while the 88 mm deals with the medium to high altidude threats.  The AA vehicles would also provide cover to the 88 mms when being used as anti-tank guns.

To also answer your last question more specifically, the rounds would not go off in the barrel or right in front of the gun because the Germans didn't use proximity fuses, they didn't have the technology.  Proximity fuses was only used by the Allied forces and for a time, was under strict usage guidelines that only allowed it to be used on Allied naval ships and usage restrictions were removed or at least eased up on.


ack-ack

[Nemisis]

No, I mean like a low level strafing run, say 50ft, would the shell explode too close to the gun, or before it got close enough to damage the A/C?

[Ack-Ack]

No, I mean like a low level strafing run, say 50ft, would the shell explode too close to the gun, or before it got close enough to damage the A/C?

Don't think an 88 mm would be able to track a fast moving plane that low enough to be able to fire at it.


ack-ack

[Nemisis]

Firing at a tank, sees a plane, loads with AA shell. Happens all the time with 5" guns for me.

[321BAR]

I could be wrong, but didnt 88's used as AA have an altitude "floor" where their shells would not explode below? Something like 10k? Am I off on this? If it is the case though, it wouldn't be too terrible attacking an alerted town, as town guns could get the low stuff, and 88's the higher stuff.

nobody ever thinks that these 88s would be anti tank also... set it on the edge of a base away from trees and you got a problem for every GV out there. and i agree with the idea of the osti and whirble hitting lower targets

[Nemisis]

Tiger has the same sized gun. Its not as huge a threat as everone seems to think. A simmilar Italian gun was better in both roles. Look it up on wiki, its the 90mm one.

[321BAR]

smaller target than the tiger... dang man, youre as fast as me responding to these. the tiger has a big target, an 88 can kill the tiger without it seeing its attacker

[Strip]

AFAIK

The 88mm anti-aircraft artillery rounds were time delay fuses, not dependent on altitude....

Strip

[Nemisis]

OK, thanks strip.

BAR, you have to remember, the Tiger has armor, and hits can be at a bad angle, or the shell may have spent it's energy and not penetrate the armor, where as the 88' was out in the open, and HE shells would easily take it out, you don't need to hit it with tungsten flying at 1000feet per second to kill it. If you hit the tiger, its not a sure kill, but if you hit the 88' its dead.

[Ack-Ack]

Its not as huge a threat as everone seems to think.

Tell that to the tens of thousands of Allied (Soviet forces included) that died in their tanks from the German 88 mm.  It was probably one of the most devastating anti-tank fielded during the war and there was hardly any tank that it couldn't kill.


ack-ack

[Nemisis]

Yes, I know that. But we have the Tiger for all sides in AH2. It wouldn't have been so efective agains the Tiger. I'm not saying it wouldn't pose a conciderable threat, but just that it isn't a server destroying issue.

[321BAR]

OK, thanks strip.

BAR, you have to remember, the Tiger has armor, and hits can be at a bad angle, or the shell may have spent it's energy and not penetrate the armor, where as the 88' was out in the open, and HE shells would easily take it out, you don't need to hit it with tungsten flying at 1000feet per second to kill it. If you hit the tiger, its not a sure kill, but if you hit the 88' its dead.

understandable

Yes, I know that. But we have the Tiger for all sides in AH2. It wouldn't have been so efective agains the Tiger. I'm not saying it wouldn't pose a conciderable threat, but just that it isn't a server destroying issue.

dont forget the all powerful tiger standoffs. even at distance the 88 still damages at the least... get it at a side shot or at the rear which i know happens too many times to count... well, yeah i still think this 88 would save bases alone. not to mention we wont always see tigers on the field

[Nemisis]

dont forget the all powerful tiger standoffs. even at distance the 88 still damages at the least... get it at a side shot or at the rear which i know happens too many times to count... well, yeah i still think this 88 would save bases alone. not to mention we wont always see tigers on the field

True, it probably won't, although I seem to encounter a lot of tigers when I'm low on AP shells. But I take your point. How about a limited number of AP shells, say 50, per hour?