The engineering department at Junkers developed a bewildering array of different versions of the Ju-188. Specialized versions were developed for dive-bombing, photo-reconnaissance, high-altitude level bombing (with pressurized crew compartment), torpedo-dropping and night-fighting, among others. In addition versions were developed with at least two entirely different engines installed, one with air-cooled radials and one with liquid-cooled inverted V-12 engines. Small wonder the factory only ever managed to complete about 1,200 aircraft of this type!
Barry, 04.02.2013 19:02
Owing to delays in the production of the Ju88 replacement, the Ju288, it was decided to proceed with the private venture Ju188. Flying in the spring of 1942 the first prototype was powered by BMW801MA radial engines. The 'Technishe Amt' stipulated that the new aeroplane should be able to take both the BMW engine and the Junkers Jumo 213 without any modification to the airframe. This would save any production problems should either engine become unavailable. In the end 1,076 were produced. Whilst production was also undertaken at ATG, Leipzig and Siebel/Halle, the most unusual production was the 12 JU188Es produced from components by SNCASE at Toulouse for use by the Aeronavale after the war's end.
The colour illustration is of Jumo 213 powered radar equipped Ju188D-2 of 1./FAGr124 based at Kirkenes Norway.
kuaican, 20.06.2011 05:31
Wished I had fown missions with tah bird instead of the He111 wlkl
Klaatu, e-mail, 03.05.2011 21:59
Basically an slightly-upgraded Ju-88, this aircraft only went into production because the bomber the Luftwaffe really wanted, the Ju-288, never panned out.
wlkriessmann, e-mail, 26.09.2010 03:37
I checked the 188 out at Hannover- Langenhagen( May2nd 1943 (CC+LA) I was supposed to ferry factory to units; did some early August and took the last one on Otober the 15th (BT+CF) from Esperstedt-Kirchenlaibach- Prag/Rucine .Wonderful plane. Wished I had fown missions with tah bird instead of the He111 wlkl
