Do you set the fuse on AA shells?

[maillemaker]

I notice when you shoot the big flak gun on the Type IX boats that the AA shells explode in the sky if you do not hit your target directly.

How is the range for explosion set?

Presumably the idea is that shrapnel can hit the target even if you don't hit them directly?

Steve

[Mittelwaechter]

The Germans didn't manage to develop a proximity fuse until after the war.
Only the US did - iirc.

The guns were operated by more than only two people.
The 3,7 crew had to rely on the observed distance (estimated or determined with a handheld device) to set time fuses just before using the rounds.
They tried to detonate the shells as close as possible to the aircraft.

Ingame you have no options to simulate the distance setting, it is done for you.

[Marcello]

My understanding is that such caliber weapons were fuzed to explode on contact with self destruct at a fixed range. Time fuzes were not worthwhile for such small caliber weapons, I am not sure anything below 40mm ever got any.

[Mittelwaechter]

Just did some research - and you are right.

No time fuses with the 3,7 cm.

Sorry for my bad info.

[maillemaker]

OK so my exploding shells may be exploding well beyond my target?

Steve