European Air War
Junkers Ju.88
Second in total production only to the Consolidated B-24 Mitchell, 14,980 Ju88's were placed in service during the war and used extensively in every theater of operations. Although the bomb capacity of the Ju88 was only slightly more than the Fw-190 at 1000 kilograms, the plane was very reliable and all of the kinks had been worked out of the assembly line process when the war began. As such, Germany kept turning out Ju88's at a remarkable rate consistent with its efforts to refine and upgrade the fighter construction programs throughout the war. Consequently, Ju88's were used in many capacities during the war including transport for freight and paratroops, light strategic bombing, tactical bombing and even as a night interceptor against Allied bombing raids.
The Ju88a was powered by twin Junkers Jumo 211-B liquid cooled, 12 cylinder engines and had a top speed of 280mph. The Ju88c, the heavy fighter version, was powered by twin Jumo 211-J engines, rated at 1340 horsepower each, boosting the top end speed to 310 mph. Further, Ju88c's had solid noses fitted with three 20mm cannon and three 7.92mm machine guns.
Junkers Ju.88A-4
- Wingspan: 60 ft. 3 in.
- Length: 47 ft. 1 in.
- Height: 17 ft. 6 in.
- Engine: 2 x Junkers Jumo 211B rated 1,200 hp.
- Loaded Weight: 22,840 lb.
- Maximum Speed: 280 mph.
- Service Ceiling: 26,200 ft.
- Combat Radius: 520 miles
- Armaments: 4,000 lbs. of bombs, 5 x 7.92mm machine guns
Defensive Fire Arc:
Junkers Ju.88C-6
- Wingspan: 65 ft. 8 in.
- Length: 47 ft. 6 in.
- Height: 15 ft. 11 in.
- Engine: 2 x Junkers Jumo 211J rated 1,400 hp.
- Loaded Weight: 25,230 lb.
- Maximum Speed: 310 mph.
- Service Ceiling: 29,040 ft.
- Combat Radius: 610 miles
- Armaments: 1 x 20mm MG-151 cannon, 2 x 20mm MG-FFM cannons, 3 x 7.92mm MG-17 machine guns, 2 x 7.92mm MG-81J machine guns in rear cockpit, 1,100 lbs. of bombs
Defensive Fire Arc:
This material was included in the original 1998 release of European Air War by Microprose.