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Flak 88 Owners' Workshop Manual: 8.8cm Flugzeugabwehrkanone (Models 18/36/37/41) (Haynes Manuals) Hardcover – March 27, 2018
- Print length192 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHaynes Publishing UK
- Publication dateMarch 27, 2018
- Dimensions8.63 x 0.63 x 10.88 inches
- ISBN-101785211331
- ISBN-13978-1785211331
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Chris McNab specializes in military history and military technology. He has published more than 100 books, including the Haynes Kubelwagen/Schwimmwagen Manual, Roman Soldier Operations Manual, Dreadnought Battleship, Siege Warfare, Falklands War, and the RAF Chinook Manual. Chris has also written extensively for major encyclopedia series, magazines and newspapers, and has made TV appearances as an expert commentator for Discover, Sky and History channels.
Product details
- Publisher : Haynes Publishing UK; Illustrated edition (March 27, 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 192 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1785211331
- ISBN-13 : 978-1785211331
- Item Weight : 1.75 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.63 x 0.63 x 10.88 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,251,370 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,162 in Military History Pictorials
- #3,217 in Conventional Weapons & Warfare History (Books)
- #70,448 in Engineering (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2021Very happy with purchase. Brand new book. Answered nearly all of my questions regarding 88mm AA guns. For more excellent photo histories of AA guns see Muller & Piekalkiewicz's Schiffer books.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2020Great technical description and well illustrated
- Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2018Another great book in this series.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2018Although Haynes has published quite a few books on armored fighting vehicles, this is the first one they've published on an artillery piece. The Flak 88 seems like a good place to start; the gun was ubiquitous and feared, and despite its iconic status, hasn't developed the kind of cult following that tanks such as the Panther and Tiger have.
A brief introduction covers the evolution of 8.8 cm flak guns in interwar Germany, the development of the Flak 18, 36, 37, and 41, and some of the vehicles and artillery pieces that mounted the 8.8 cm gun. The next two chapters feature the technical meat of the book, describing the design, main components, and operation of the gun, along with the different types of ammunition it used. Chapter four describes the human side of things - setting up and handling the gun, the roles of the crew, and the difficulties involved in operating in extreme weather conditions. The next two chapters look at the 88 at war, chapter five focusing on the anti-aircraft side of things, chapter six on anti-tank operations. Both chapters cover tactics, unit organization, and the effectiveness of the gun, and feature a number of first-hand accounts. The final chapter describes the SdKfz prime movers, along with information on some of the troubleshooting and maintenance procedures crews would have used on a daily basis.
Although the format is typical Haynes, it feels a lot more "organic" than many of their books. Although many Haynes books take a more segregated approach, operational, technical, and historical details are blended together to a greater extent this time around. Along with the first-hand accounts, you'll find procedures on how to open the breech mechanism and place the weapon in firing position, advice on keeping sand and frost out of the gun, and explanations of how the traverse and elevation receivers functioned. Visually, the book features gritty wartime images, diagrams from wartime technical manuals, and many excellent closeup photos of a beautifully preserved Flak 37.
Unfortunately, this book does kind of a fall victim to the "if only there was a few more pages..." syndrome. Fire control is only briefly touched upon, and although there's some rudimentary information on the Kommandogerat 36 director system, the subject isn't really treated with the relevance it deserves. Penetration and ballistic tables are also sorely lacking; we get a basic idea of the gun's muzzle velocity, range, and ceiling, but not a lot in the way of hard data. It's a shame because this is one of the better WWII vehicle "manuals" Haynes has published recently.
Although it's not a five-star masterpiece, this book does provide a lot of excellent technical detail and manages to provide an even-handed description of the gun's strengths and weaknesses. While I'm certainly not an expert on the 88, and can't really vouch for this book's accuracy, I enjoyed this book despite some nagging omissions.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2020Like all Haynes manuals I have read, very educational, informative and interesting. Great info for modellers and even re-enactors.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2020If you are like my son and me and you need to know exactly where the controls are on WWII weapons, a book like this is the place to go. After putting together "interlocking brick" toy Flak 37, my son kept asking where the trigger was and I turned to the book. For anyone interested in WWII, especially German engineering, this book will help explain Germany's love of the 88--arguably the best anti-everything gun that was built. The book might surprise you with the origins of the gun, and it's little details like that which make this book (and the others of its line) so good.
Top reviews from other countries
- TaeussReviewed in Canada on August 2, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars An 88 Owners Manual?
As expected the Haynes manual on the 88 proved every bit as good as the others from the series that I already own. Great photos, both historical and contemporary for exacting details. Definitely recommend!
- Mr. Stephen J. JacksonReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars WW2
Interesting reading about a weapon that was a legend in its time.
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raoul-duval francisReviewed in France on September 11, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars liv re très complet
je dois en fabriquer la maquette au 35ème
- Steven sch.Reviewed in Canada on June 25, 2019
4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
Wonderful book! Great source of reference for model makers as well! Book came in a little damaged unfortunately..
- Pen NameReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars 88mm
Very good quality close up photos, lots of Good info
Very nice Book