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Battle of Britain JU88 A-4 or A-5?

Pat Pattle

Pat Pattle

SOH-CM-2025
Hi folks,

Can anyone clear up a little matter for me please of which model of JU88 flew in the BoB?

A few reliable books I have state it was the A-5, this was the same as an A-4 (larger wingspan) but the engines destined for that model weren't available hence the out of sequence model number. However other 'reliable' sources say it was the A-4, Stephen Bungay for one.

Can any of you knowledgable LW enthusiasts throw some light please?

Thanks,

Clive :)
 
The main Ju88 flown in the Battle of Britian I'm sure was the Ju88A1. The Ju88A5 also was used. It is possible the Ju88A4 could have been used towards the end of the Battle. But I not sure on that.
The Ju88A1 had shorter wings and a single rear top gun. Ju88A5s had the new longer wing. I think some had the single gun and later ones had the double gun.
 
your right seacondor

The Ju 88 was certainly the most versatile German combat plane in the 2nd World War. It served as a dive bomber and for high altitude bombing. It was equally successful as a night fighter and as a torpedo bomber against shipping. It could also be used as a tank-buster, as a minelayer and for reconnaissance. After numerous modifications the 2nd prototype took to the air on 2nd February 1938. The Ju 88A-1 went into series production in September 1939. In order to satisfy the requirements of the German Air Ministry, who had also procured the Ju 88 for use as a dive bomber, the production machine received underwing dive brakes. The Ju 88 started its first missions with the occupation of Norway. In June/July 1940, the Luftwaffe concentrated on Channel convoys and coastal targets, followed by more attacks on the British mainland at the beginning of August. On 11th August, 54 Ju 88A-1's attacked Portland; later something over 100 Ju 88's took part in attacks on Portsmouth and Ventnor. From 15th August the English tactics changed and the Luftwaffe had less success, until on 15th September the page finally turned. This date went down in history as the "Battle of Britain. When the 2nd World War ended the Ju 88 was still in full production. By then more Ju 88's had been built than all other German bombers together - over 15,000 planes.
 
Greg is spot on - typically, it was the A-1 (Ted's latest version gives superb FPS, by the way, and can be used in quite large numbers - better than the stock A-4) with some A-5s. The A-4 came in in smal;l numbers towards the end of 1940 as the Battle was closing.
 
Thanks for the replies, especially your input Joshua :)

I've dug a little deeper and along with the above posts have concluded that there were 2 main variants operational during the battle, the A-1 and A-5. These are basically the same but the A5 has a 6ft-odd longer wingspan. It was destined to be fitted with the jumo 211J engines to become the A-4. Teething problems delayed them until later in 1940 however hence the A-5 sub type.

There were also various gun positions too but it seems there was no hard and fast rule as to which had what and how many!


http://www.pilotfriend.com/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/Junkers Ju 88.htm

It's worth logging into these forums too:

http://www.luftwaffe-bullet-board.com

Cheers,

Pat :)
 
thanks pat for updated link s... im a bob- groupie on the missions of that era ....and youve done a ton of great work on this era ....i appreaicate as a simmer .


between you and hobbitt ....any missions and work yee if ever can colaborate on would to amazing for words looking at your work and his ....


if ever youve got a few bobs missions sitting in your bucket of tricks id love a few to fly ontop of whats already out there ...


again thanks

loverboy1
 
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