What is military flak?

Flak is defined as the bursting shells shot at aircraft from enemy guns on the ground, or criticism or opposition. An example of flak is the exploding ammunition that can damage a military plane when flying over enemy territory.

Why is it called flak?

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.

What is flack in war?

Flak typically refers to the anti-aircraft fire coming at one from anti-aircraft guns, derived during World War II from the German Flugabwehrkanone (Flak), for "aircraft defence cannon" in turn derived from Flugabwehrgeschütz (Flag).

What does a flak vest do?

Contrary to popular belief, flak jackets are not interchangeable with bulletproof vests. They are designed to protect against fragments from high explosive weaponry — like anti-aircraft guns, land mines, low velocity projectiles and grenades.

Is a flak jacket bulletproof?

Flak jackets were first used by United States Army Air Corps gunners in Europe and Asia during the second world war. They were not bulletproof at all, but were provided to offer basic protection from airborne shrapnel (the word 'flak' is derived from the German Flugabwehrkanone, a type of anti-aircraft gun).

How heavy is a flak?

It consisted of two pieces of steel inserted into the pockets of a regular black military vest. Versions for infantry weighed 3 ½ pounds while a version for cavalry and artillery weighed 7 pounds.

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.

Who invented flak?

Krupp company designers, working in Switzerland to avoid post-World War I treaty restrictions, developed the gun in the late 1920s. The famous “flak” gun got its name from the German word Flugabwehrkanone, meaning aircraft defense cannon.

Who invented the military flak jacket?

Development of the M-1951 Flak Jacket

The flak jacket as it's known today, came about as the brainchild of a surgeon in the Air Force during WWII. Col. Malcom C. Grow tallied the wounds received by his units, and determined that 70 percent were caused by low-velocity flak.

What does the acronym flak stand for?

If you're taking flak, chances are you're in a bad situation and taking fire from an enemy. Flak can refer to criticism — or worse, explosive shells from an antiaircraft weapon. Flak came into English as an abbreviation for the German word Fliegerabwehrkanone, meaning 'aircraft-defense gun.

What does it mean to receive flak?

flak noun [U] (CRITICISM)

informal. strong criticism or opposition: She took/caught some flak from her parents about her new dress.

How do you stop flak?

Can you shoot a paratrooper with a flak gun?

The law of war does not prohibit firing upon paratroops or other persons who are or appear to be bound upon hostile missions while such persons are descending by parachute.

How effective was flak in ww2?

“Two myths about flak: one it was not very effective, from an Allied point of view, and second the Allied bombing campaign against Germany created a 'second front' siphoning off thousands of men to man the guns and robbing the German army of valuable men. This was only partially true.

How much does a military flak jacket weigh?

It consisted of two pieces of steel inserted into the pockets of a regular black military vest. Versions for infantry weighed 3 ½ pounds while a version for cavalry and artillery weighed 7 pounds.

What is the difference between a plate carrier and a bulletproof vest?

Material: Plate carriers are made of ordinary fabric vests with armor plates at the front and back. The armor plate can be steel, ceramic, or polyethylene to provide maximum protection. Vests, on the other hand, don't have these plates to stop the bullet, but they can be made of breathable fabric material.

Did the pizza guy make the bulletproof vest?

The company was founded in the early 1970s by former U.S. Marine and pizza delivery owner/driver Richard Davis. Davis developed the idea of a bulletproof vest after shooting three armed robbers in self-defense during a delivery.

How did flak shells work in ww2?

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. It also left a characteristic black cloud hanging in the sky.

How big are Antiplane bullets?

Against dive-bombers and low-level attack aircraft, a 40-millimetre (1.5-inch) gun, first produced by the Bofors firm of Sweden, was widely used by the British and U.S. forces. It fired 2-pound (0.9-kilogram) projectiles to a height of 2 miles (3.2 km) at 120 rounds per minute.

What made the German 88 so good?

The 88 earned its reputation as the best overall gun of the war. It was justifiably feared by Allied airmen, tankers, and foot soldiers because of its accuracy, lethality, and versatility. The weapon was deployed on German tanks, as an antitank gun, an assault gun, and for antiaircraft purposes.

Why do soldiers not wear bulletproof vests?

No body armor is bulletproof. Good body armor (which is very heavy) will protect the wearer from common rifle threats. It won't protect them from artillery, mortars, explosive, or other heavy weapons. The point of diminishing returns applies.

Are spider webs stronger than a bulletproof vest?

The US Army cannot enlist enough spiders to provide the silk it needs to make stronger bullet-proof vests. These vests are currently made of Kevlar. But spider silk is stronger than Kevlar, even if it is less readily available.

Can a bulletproof vest stop an AK-47?

Normally a NIJ Level IIIA bullet proof vest in combination with Level IV hard armor panels can stop AK-47 rounds including armor piercing.

What were flak jackets made of?

World War II was a turning point in the development of body armor with the introduction of the “flak jacket” made from ballistic nylon. The flak jacket was very cumbersome and bulky. It provided protection primarily from ammunition fragments but was ineffective against most pistol and rifle threats.