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Chris McNab
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Flak 88 Owners' Workshop Manual: 8.8cm Flugzeugabwehrkanone (Models 18/36/37/41) (Haynes Manuals) Hardcover – March 27, 2018

by Chris McNab (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 47 ratings
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The 8.8cm Flugzeugabwehrkanone 18/36/37/41 - more popularly known as the ‘Flak 88’ - was one of the most successful and influential artillery gun types in the German arsenal in the Second World War. Developed during the 1920s and 1930s, the gun combined accuracy, a high muzzle velocity and a rapid rate of fire (15–20rpm). Although at first developed as an anti-aircraft gun, it went on to achieve equal repute as an anti-tank weapon, imposing horrific casualties on Allied armor across all major European and North African theaters of war. In one clash in Normandy, in June 1944, for example, a single Luftwaffe 8.8cm battery destroyed some 40 Allied tanks. 
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  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Haynes Publishing UK
  4. Publication date
    March 27, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    8.63 x 0.63 x 10.88 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1785211331
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1785211331
  8. See all details
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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
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 47 ratings

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Chris McNab

Chris McNab

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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

  • ray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brand new book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Very 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.
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  • WHL
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding reference for Flak 88mm
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2020
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    Great technical description and well illustrated
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  • E Bay Z1
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2018
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    Another great book in this series.
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  • Daryl Carpenter
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not a direct hit, but I can't throw too much flak its way, either
    Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2018
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    Although 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.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Keith Jackson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Like all Haynes manuals I have read, very educational, informative and interesting.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Like all Haynes manuals I have read, very educational, informative and interesting. Great info for modellers and even re-enactors.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Precise
    Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    If 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.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Taeuss
    5.0 out of 5 stars An 88 Owners Manual?
    Reviewed in Canada on August 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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!
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  • Mr. Stephen J. Jackson
    5.0 out of 5 stars WW2
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2019
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    Interesting reading about a weapon that was a legend in its time.
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  • raoul-duval francis
    5.0 out of 5 stars liv re très complet
    Reviewed in France on September 11, 2019
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    je dois en fabriquer la maquette au 35ème
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  • Steven sch.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
    Reviewed in Canada on June 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderful book! Great source of reference for model makers as well! Book came in a little damaged unfortunately..
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  • Pen Name
    5.0 out of 5 stars 88mm
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Very good quality close up photos, lots of Good info
    Very nice Book
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