Gap, I finally figured out why you thought that your gunners broken
That's my way for tests:
1. Man the Flak gun
2. F7 or Battle Stations (on the order's bar)
3. Flak gun bar
If you didn't order the first point, then you get only virtual gunners..
That's why you've never seen their animation and that's why they don't leave their posts in high wind.. just because they do not exist