| Accession Number | REL44465 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Optical equipment, Artillery |
| Physical description | Glass, Metal |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | c 1935-1941 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Optical sight : German FLaK 37 3.7cm anti-aircraft gun
Description
Black metal optic sight for attaching to a Second World War German Flieger abwehr Kanone (FLaK) 37 3.7cm anti-aircraft gun. A rubber eye piece is fitted to the sight along with a metal bracket. On the side of the sight is marked 'kjj 15125', Z.F. 8 x 8 (degrees mark) Flak'. The internal glass optics are complete and uncracked. The optics feature a graduated reticle with distance to target calculations.
History / Summary
This optic sight was originally fitted to a Second World War German Airforce (Luftwaffe) 3.7cm FLaK 37 Anti-Aircraft gun.
The German term FLaK stands for 'Flieger abwehr Kanone'. During the Second World War Australian members of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and British Royal Air Force (RAF) regularly came under fire from these very effective weapon systems when operating at low level over occupied Europe and Germany. The effect of these fast firing and hard hitting weapons on an Allied aircraft were significant, especially for smaller single seat combat aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire or Hawker Typhoon. When used against Allied ground forces, the suppressive fire of these 37mm diameter rounds would of been devastating.