SdKfz 222 Turret Question

[SGTGunn]

Ok! I wasn't aware that flak weapons couldn't fire while pinned - that's good to know! Do you happen to know if the mounting designed with the intent that it could be used as an AA weapon? Or if the Germans actually employed it as such?

Thanks,

Adrian

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by SGTGunn

Ok! I wasn't aware that flak weapons couldn't fire while pinned - that's good to know! Do you happen to know if the mounting designed with the intent that it could be used as an AA weapon? Or if the Germans actually employed it as such?

Thanks,

Adrian

No - it was not used or conceived as an AAA weapon, even supplementary. It is realy more like the modern RARDEN cannon - a small amount of ready ammo which was used mainly in the self-loading mode, with an option to roll off a single auto burst if necessary.

The last thing you probably want is one of your recce vehicles randomly popping off at planes flying by - would give away your positions and/or scouting intentions to a human opponent?.

The high elevation would be useful fighting in close terrain to fire upwards, perhaps. Similar to Post-war Russian use of ZSU-23-4 to clear the top floors of multi-story buildings of Chechen fighters. But later versions of the 222 usually had an anti hand-grenade screen fitted, so likely they would be too vulnerable in towns etc with the original open top turret. And SP does not have the concept of floors in towns either.

Andy

[chuckfourth]

Heres something contradictory from
http://www.rodenplant.com/HTML/703.htm
"After the Hawker Typhoon fighter was added to the R.A.F.'s inventory the Panzerwaffe endured heavy casualties and German troop movements became complicated. As the Typhoon was armed with 4 cannons and 8 rockets the German Military Command put out a requirement that a new armored car, intended to replace the out-of-date Sd.Kfz 231 (8 - Rad) and Sd.Kfz 232 (8 - Rad), should be able to resist air attacks.
...
Installed the same way in the Sd.Kfz 222 and the Sd.Kfz 250/9
...
Serial production of the Sd.Kfz 234/1 started in June 1944 and it was an opportune time, as the Allied Air forces dominated on the Western Front and the air raids of British and American ground attack aircraft were continuous.
Most of the 200 Sd.Kfz 234/1 produced up to the beginning of 1945 were sent to the Western Front"

Note also the large ammo loadout for the vehicle plenty of rounds for long bursts at aircraft.
Perhaps some players might like their recon elements to be able to 'resist' air attacks?