[Cross]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your prompt response. If you’d allow me to be “devil’s advocate” for a moment, then perhaps I’d better understand why the 3in. 20cwt AA and its successor the 3.7in. are MIA.

In the OOB the Germans have the Ju88, He-177, He111 et al, which are designated in the OOB as “level bombers”. The Brits have the Lancaster (which carries 22x500lb eggs) this is clearly not a ground attack aircraft expected to fly low and weave (Dambusters raid excepted). So if we have level bombers in the OOB shouldn’t we have a widely issued weapon designed to counter them?

What about Para drops where I’m assuming the Ju52 will be flying straight and level and probably quite high. Wouldn’t it be more realistic to have FlaK guns other than only the Bofors to defend yourself with?

As for the long range issue, aren’t many AAA ranges in SP easily 3 or 4 KM across the map (not including elevation); where the 3/3.7in sights would function well?

Aren’t planes on the SP map actually flying straight and level for the most part, because they are actually in their attack run?

I understand that both the 3in and 3.7in had optical sights. If these guns could not engage close targets – in the air – then does anyone know their minimum range?

I read something re: German 88mm AAA:
Heavy antiaircraft artillery cannot be used against planes flying at altitudes of less than 1,200 feet directly over the battery.

Is there a way to put a min. range on AAA, similar to indirect fire having a min. range?

The Germans have the 8.8cm FlaK 18 and 36 in their OOB. They also have the AT version and the Gun Empl in the OOB. Why should the RAF boys face 8.8cm FlaK, while the Luftwaffe doesn’t have to worry about 3.7in FlaK?

SPWAW has the 3in in its OOB (disclaimer: I would not use SPWAW as a benchmark, that belongs to SPWW2 :-) but SPWAW must have some rationale for its inclusion.

Additional info I discovered about these guns during a little research:
• 3in used the same carriage as the Bofors, but were mounted on other carriages/vehicles.
• Apparently the 3in was also issued in a “low-level” version.
• 3in and 3.7in were often used for indirect fire
• They were only very occasionally used for ATk purposes. Eg. Tobruk and other desert battles.
• The 3.7in gun was considered an excellent AAA, and was superior to its German counterpart - the 88mm – in an AA role. However, the 3.7 was much more cumbersome than the 88.
• The 3in had a ROF of 25 rounds a min, the 3.7in a ROF of I think 10/12 RPM.

You guys have more experience and knowledge than I, so I will respect your decision, but I thought it interesting to bring these issues up.

Cheers,
Cross