The Junkers Ju-88 is a twin-engine
fast bomber, four-seater low-wing train and retractable tailwheel.
It has a rather characteristic silhouette with a nose and a largely
glazed cockpit. Originally conceived as a dive bomber, it soon turned
out to be a versatile device that could be used as a bomber, night
fighter, reconnaissance aircraft, dive and anti-tank bomber, torpedo
boat ...
In August 1935, the German
Air Ministry issued a program for a fast three-seater bomber able
to carry a capacity of 800kg minimum and whose speed and autonomy
were the main qualities sought. The firm Junkers proposes a project
and begins the construction of two prototypes (n ° 4941 and
4942) in June 1936. These motorized by two engines DB600 have a
autonomy of 2 000 km. The other three prototypes (4943, 4944 and
4945) are powered by Jumo 211. On 21 December 1936, in Dressau,
the first prototype (Ju-88V1) makes its first flight, followed by
JU88 V2 and V3. The latter reaches the speed of 512 km / h and wins
the competition against its competitors Henschel and Messerschmitt.
The lessons of the Spanish
Civil War led to the modification of the JU88 to turn it into a
dive Bombardier. the crew goes up to 4 people and the structure
is reinforced. The mass of the aircraft goes from 8 tons to almost
10 tons, thus reducing the performance a bit.The JU88 comes into
service on the first day of the war, during the Polish campaign,
with the 12 units built (Ju- 88 A-1). He then took part in the Campaign
of France and the Battle of Britain.
The Junkers JU88 was declined
in 38 versions for a total of 14,980 built.
