Evidently, the 88mm Flak was fitted with a long tube device, referred to as 'ansetzer'. However, photographs suggest that this was not present on all versions of the '88', and it is also missing on certain scale models. Was the device specific to particular versions, and what was its purpose?

Like the rammer on the 109 series, it can be either used or not. In the absence of a hydraulic rammer, it's done manually.

The Ansetzer was useful with a high gun elevation angle in the aa-mode. Rapid fire against ground targets with an increased rate of fire was better without the use of the Ansetzer.

Hey. The so-called "Ansetzer" was used with the FLAK 18 and the early FLAK 36 but not FLAK 37. This device is a kind of auto-loader. During the early stages of war it became clear that it was faster to load the gun by hand, that's why the later guns didn't receive it.

Thanks to you all for your most informative replies.