Ju 88 A-1 or A-0 of II/KG 30
The Ju 88A-0 was the pre-production variant of the Junkers Ju 88, a multi-role aircraft that played a significant role in the Luftwaffe’s operations during World War II. It was derived from the Ju 88V6 prototype, which first flew on June 18, 1938. The project was already delayed by the time of this flight, so the V6 effectively served as the first pre-production model, followed by additional prototypes (Ju 88 V9 to V13) and pre-production units numbered W. Nr 880001-0005.
Key Features and Development:
Armament: The Ju 88A-0 was armed with three MG 15 machine guns (7.92 mm) positioned in forward, rearward, and lower stations. It could carry a bomb load of up to one ton either in its bomb bay or on underwing racks.
Production Challenges: Junkers’ chief manager, Heinrich Koppenberg, was tasked by Hermann Göring with accelerating the production of the Ju 88 to make it a core element of the Luftwaffe’s bomber force. To manage this, Koppenberg distributed production tasks among several Junkers factories, with different sites handling fuselages, wings, tails, and equipment. Additional agreements were made with other manufacturers like Arado, Heinkel, and AEG for the production of subassemblies.
Production Difficulties: Despite an ambitious plan to produce 2,500 Ju 88s by the spring of 1940, only 69 aircraft were completed by the end of 1939. The dive brakes, which resembled massive slotted fences about 2.5 meters wide, were a significant problem. They caused instability at high dive speeds and sometimes became stuck open, reducing the aircraft’s speed. These issues delayed the project until the spring of 1939, when production of the first standard model, the Ju 88A-1, began.
Improvements and Modifications: The Ju 88A-1 featured several important modifications, including replacing the four-bladed wooden propellers with three-bladed VDM variable-pitch propellers that could be adjusted in flight. The fuel system was also upgraded, with the addition of two more tanks in the fuselage and the provision for auxiliary wing tanks, which extended the aircraft’s range to nearly 3,700 km with a 500 kg bomb load.
Dive-Bombing Technique:
- Accuracy: During this period, the dive-bombing technique for the Ju 88 was perfected at the Rechlin research establishment. Aiming for 90% accuracy in bombing was found to be unrealistic for such a large aircraft. Instead, a 50% accuracy rate became the standard, which was considered an outstanding achievement. In comparison, even the best German crews could hardly achieve 30% accuracy in level bombing under favorable conditions.
Crew Feedback and Field Modifications:
- Armament Dissatisfaction: Crews were generally dissatisfied with the limited defensive armament of just three MG 15s. In response, they often modified their aircraft by adding more MG 15s in the nose and sides of the cockpit. Additional armor was also added to the rear gunner’s position and the cockpit floor to enhance protection.
The Ju 88A-0 and the subsequent A-1 variant marked the beginning of a long and varied production run for the Ju 88, an aircraft that would go on to see numerous modifications and versions, making it one of the most versatile aircraft of World War II.