Heavy fighter Ju88 C-6 on the ground
The Ju 88C series was developed as a heavy fighter variant of the Ju 88, transitioning from a bomber to a versatile multirole aircraft. Here’s a summary of its key variants and their respective roles:
Development and Early Prototypes:
- Ju 88V7 (Ju 88Z): This prototype, first flown on September 27, 1938, was a response to the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM)’s request for a long-range heavy fighter (Zerstörer) variant. It was equipped with an MG FF cannon and three MG 17 machine guns, offering significant firepower. Though its speed was comparable to the Bf 110, the Ju 88V7 had a much longer operational range due to its fuel capacity.
Production Variants:
Ju 88C-0:
- Pre-production batch based on converted Ju 88A-1 bombers. These conversions, done in mid-1939, laid the groundwork for testing the heavy fighter concept.
Ju 88C-1:
- This variant retained the glazed nose with a forward-firing armament of three MG 17s and one MG FF. However, it was not mass-produced due to engine shortages (BMW 801MA engines were prioritized for the Fw 190).
Ju 88C-2:
- A production version with a metal-plated nose instead of a fully glazed one, housing the same armament (three MG 17s and one MG FF). The aircraft still retained its bomb bay and ventral cupola, carrying 500 kg of bombs in addition to the fighter armament. About 62 units were produced.
Ju 88C-4:
- Based on the Ju 88A-4, it had a solid nose and increased wingspan. The bomb bay was removed, and the aircraft had reinforced landing gear. Its armament was heavier, and it was sometimes equipped for reconnaissance missions with Robot cameras. Around 130 units were built.
Ju 88C-5:
- A small batch built due to the low availability of BMW 801D engines, which were needed for the Fw 190. The C-5 carried an MG 151/20 cannon and three MG 17s, plus two MG 17s mounted in the ventral gondola. Only 10 units were made.
Ju 88C-6:
One of the most prominent variants, introduced in 1942, this version had a solid nose and was powered by Jumo 211J engines. Its armament included three MG FF cannons and three MG 17s in the nose, plus a rear-mounted MG 15, MG 81Z, or MG 131. The bomb bay was replaced with fuel tanks for extended range.
Ju 88C-6a: This variant was configured for daylight operations with a ventral cupola. It retained the same nose armament and was used by notable units such as WKG 40 to combat Allied anti-U-boat missions.
Ju 88C-6b: The night fighter version, equipped with FuG 202 or FuG 212 radar. Later versions were armed with Schräge Musik, two MG 151/20 cannons mounted at a forward angle to attack bombers from below.
Ju 88C-6c: Similar to the C-6b but featured FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 radar, which was less affected by Allied radar countermeasures. Some aircraft also carried FuG 227 Flensburg to detect British “Monica” radar signals and FuG 350 Naxos Z for locating British H2S devices.
Ju 88C-7a:
- Designed for daylight operations, this version had the ventral cupola replaced by an additional gun pod with two MG FF cannons. It could carry 500 kg of bombs in the bomb bay.
Ju 88C-7b:
- Similar to the C-7a but with two underwing racks for a total bomb capacity of 1500 kg.
Ju 88C-7c:
- Powered by BMW 801MA engines, this version had a similar armament to the other C-7 variants but was produced in limited numbers.
Operational Use:
The Ju 88C series saw extensive use in both daylight and night-fighting roles, especially during the mid to late stages of World War II. Its versatility allowed it to perform bomber interception, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-bomber missions. The addition of radar equipment and modifications for night operations made it a formidable night fighter, particularly against Allied bombing raids over Germany.
The Schräge Musik upward-firing guns were especially effective, allowing the Ju 88 to sneak underneath Allied bombers and fire into their unprotected underbellies, a tactic that caused significant damage to Allied bomber fleets.