The Dreaded 88 mm Flak

The 8.8 cm Flak, feared by every Allied tank crew with good reason as it's high velocity antitank round could punch though even the heaviest Allied tank armor. 

Known universally as the "German 88," the 8.8 cm was originally an antiaircraft cannon.

The 8.8 cm was pressed into service in the early days of World War Two to stop Allied tanks whose...

armor was too tough for the standard 37 mm ATG's of the time.

The German's quickly saw they had a real game changer in this deadly weapon.

Along with its sister the 8.8 cm KwK 36 & 43 (Kampwagenkanone) and  8.8 cm PaK 43...

Panzerjagerkanone) were produced in vast numbers, (over 20,000) to be placed in a variety...

of tanks, tank destroyers and towed antitank guns.

The stories told and retold by Allied tankers of the deadly effect of 88's produced awe...

respect and fear in all those face them on the battlefield. 

Stories like "the 88's went through us like paper," or "the 88 penetrated our front armor and out the rear and kept going," were common place all too possible. Even today, more than 80 years after their first appearance, the fame and fear of the dreaded 88's has not diminished. 

This is a plastic gun and metal crew that I pained this month for my Afrika Korps force.