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Old 09-10-06, 10:54 AM   #5
anthrax
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Nope. The 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/35 is unrelated to the 8.8 cm guns mounted on german tanks.

Large calibre guns aren't really very effective against fast moving aircraft. AA guns them selves didn't really advance too much over the WWII. However, fire control technology really did. At the start of the war, most aa guns used where linked to simple fire control systems. By the end of the war. The US moved to radar fire control with VT "varible time" fuses.

The short wave length radar allowed for accrate determination of range and height. With mechanical computers, speed, and course could be accurately determined and a firing solution would be sent to the point the AA guns at the right lead angle..

The VT "varible time" fuse despite its name was nothing to do about varible time at all. Traditional AA fuses required the fuse to be se for a correct time of alititude for detenation before it was fired. VT basically put a simple "radar" device into the fuse and turned it into a proximity fuse. No fuses to set before hand, just pass your shell close nuff and the plane will be toast especailly with the 5" shells.
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