Why is it called flak?

The term “flak” comes from the (thankfully) abbreviated German term for aircraft-defense gun “Fliegerabwehrkanone.” Specifically, it was created to absorb or deflect case fragments from highly explosive rounds such as bombs, IEDs, anti-aircraft artillery, grenades, etc.

Why do they call it flak?

American aircrew that were going into combat would describe themselves as “flak bait,” meaning they were at the mercy of enemy anti-aircraft artillery. “Flak,” which was short for the German fliegerabwehrkanone, or literally “flyer defense cannon,” was the primary threat to bomber crews over their targets.

Is the flak jacket named after someone?

Protective vests called flak jackets were first used in World War II; the word “flak” comes from the abbreviated form of the German word Flugabwehrkanone, a type of antiaircraft gun. The original flak jackets were nothing more than nylon vests with steel plates sewn inside.

When was the term flak first used?

The figurative use of flak to mean criticism came about in the 1960s. For many years it kept the same spelling as the weaponry, with flack emerging as a common variant in the later decades of the twentieth century.

What is the origin of flak vest?

The M1 Flak Jacket was integrated onto the battlefield and worn by the US Army 8th Air Force. These early vests — first created for the Royal Air Force by the Wilkinson Sword Co. to protect airmen against fragmentation from the anti-aircraft guns — weighed 17 pounds, 6 ounces.

Flak Towers: Effective or not?

How effective was flak in ww2?

The 8.8 cm Flak was powerful enough to penetrate over 84 mm of armor at a range of 2 km, making it an unparalleled anti-tank weapon during the early days of the war and still formidable against all but the heaviest tanks at the end.

Are flak jackets illegal?

It is legal in all 50 states for law abiding civilians to purchase body armor. You have the right to protect yourself and your family from harm. As a citizen of the United States you have the legal right to purchase and wear body armor for personal or professional use.

Did flak jackets stop bullets?

Ballistic protection

45 caliber round fired at close range. Although flak jackets offered some protection against small caliber bullets and shell fragments, ultimately they proved to be less effective than hoped. Flak jackets are now generally considered to be inferior to modern ballistic vests.

Can a flak gun destroy a tank?

It could kill a Sherman tank or most other allied tank at over a mile range with pinpoint accuracy, it can also used to shoot down bombers and fighter planes, and even target infantry using high explosive rounds and fire light artillery barrage.

Can flak stop missile?

The flak is a strong defensive weapon unlocked by the Armoury. After a set amount of time the shell bursts into multiple shells which can shoot down missiles/rockets along with mortars. A single flak can sometimes get rid of a whole missile swarm or several rockets at once, making it the best counter to these.

What is the toughest body armor?

Level IV armor is the highest rating of body armor currently available, and it will stop armor-piercing rifle threats. It can withstand up to 30-06 M2ap steel core armor-piercing rounds with a mass of 166 grains and a velocity of 2880 ft/s.

Did flak jackets work in Vietnam?

The earliest use of lightweight fiber-reinforced materials was in flak jackets and molded composite inserts inside military steel helmets during the Vietnam conflict. However, these jackets were heavy, bulky, and provided limited protection from high-speed projectiles.

How does flak know when to explode?

Most rounds are based on a timer that uses the rotation of the round to determine when to detonate. The timer is mechanically programmed by the fire control system attached to the gun and then the rifling of the gun gets the round spinning. After a set number of rotations, the round explodes.

How did pilots avoid flak?

In order to avoid taking flak fire from the Germans on the ground, Allied bomber crews were forced to fly their planes at a higher altitude before lowering down to attack their targets. This made them a prime target for the enemy, who was particularly adept at shooting Allied bombers.

Who coined the term flak?

On 23 January 1939, Walter Winchell, in his “On Broadway” syndicated column, gave the putative etymology of the word: Variety which is trying to coin 'flack' as a synonym for press agent (without much luck) might like to know it was born in the Chicago offices of Gene Flack, a film publicist.

Can a flak jacket stop a 9mm?

You may also have heard the term “flak jacket.” A flak jacket protects against artillery shell and grenade fragments. Although some flak jackets, or fragmentation vests, such as the PASGT, can protect against 9mm FMJ handgun bullets, that's not the intended purpose.

Why was German 88 so good?

It could easily provide firepower in a full 360degree traverse and it could penetrate the frontal armor of any Allied tank on the field. The gun's distinctive, heavily sloping front armor could deflect most oncoming rounds. The barrel was produced in two segments and the breech was semi-automatic.

What caliber is a flak gun?

The versatile 88mm cannon was Germany's main heavy antiaircraft—or “flak”—gun during World War II. When an 88mm projectile exploded at altitude, it sent out jagged metal fragments that tore through nearby aircraft.

Did Vietnam soldiers have bulletproof vests?

The body armor vest was developed for use in Vietnam by the US Army and was manufactured under licence in Vietnam.

How many planes were shot down by flak in ww2?

German day- and night-fighter pilots claimed more than 70,000 aerial victories during World War II. Of these, an estimated 745 victories were attributed to jet fighters. Flak shot down 25,000–30,000 Allied planes.

Why was flak so effective?

One was to shoot down enemy aircraft and the other, more important, role was to force bombers to drop their ordnance sooner or from a higher altitude, thus reducing bombing accuracy. Flak also damaged aircraft, causing them to slow down and lose altitude, making bombers easy pickings for marauding German fighters.

Why do cops hold their vests?

The vest hang: A natural transition from the pit tuck, the vest hang is clasping the top of the vest near their collarbones to keep arms from hitting the equipment on the duty belt. The crossed arms: This can look intimidating, but cops use this stance solely for comfort. It's also a great way to warm up on a cold day.

Why is New York banning body armor?

On June 6, 2022, as part of a landmark legislative package to strengthen gun laws and protect New Yorkers in the wake of several mass shootings in the U.S., including in Buffalo, NY, Governor Hochul signed into law new restrictions on the purchase, sale, exchange, and transfer of bullet-proof vests (then defined as “ ...

Do flak jackets expire?

Most providers warrant their vests a five-year life. This short span of time is the direct result of fibers breaking down over time which causes them to lose their ability to perform as expected.