Ju 88A-1 Specifications

Crew: Pilot and three gunners/navigators/bomb-aimers

Powerplant: Two 1,200 hp Junkers Jumo 211B-1 twelve-cylinder liquid-cooled engines

Span: 59 ft 10¾ in (18.25 m)

Length: 47 ft 1 in (14.35 m)

Max Speed: 286 mph (461 km/h) at 16,000 ft (4,876 m)

Armament: Three 7.9 mm machine guns in front and rear cockpit mountings and ventral gondola

Bomb Load: Normal load of 3,968 lb (1,801 kg) carried on four underwing pylons, plus small internal capacity

Photo Description: Junkers Ju 88A bombers of KG 54 in 1940. Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-409-0885-30A / Kahler / CC-BY-SA 3.0.

The Junkers Ju 88 was a German twin-engine, multi-role combat aircraft that served as one of the most versatile and widely used designs in the Luftwaffe’s inventory throughout the Second World War. Initially conceived as a high-speed medium bomber, the Ju 88 would go on to serve in a wide variety of roles including dive-bombing, night-fighting, reconnaissance, torpedo-bombing, and heavy fighting.

Development of the Ju 88 began in 1935 following a specification issued by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) for a Schnellbomber (fast bomber) capable of carrying an 800–1,000 kg (1,760–2,200 lb) bomb load while reaching speeds of 500 km/h (311 mph). The design team, led by Wilhelm Heinrich Evers and American engineer Alfred Gassner at Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke, produced an all-metal, low-wing monoplane of stressed-skin construction, selected over rival proposals from Focke-Wulf, Henschel, and Messerschmitt.

The first prototype, Ju 88 V1, made its maiden flight on 21 December 1936, powered by Daimler-Benz DB 600A engines. After crash-landing in April 1937 due to an engine failure, it was succeeded by Ju 88 V2, which attained 465 km/h (289 mph). The V3, which appeared in September 1937, introduced Junkers Jumo 211A engines and a new cockpit layout featuring a cupola under the nose for a forward-firing 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun. The Ju 88 V4, flown in early 1938, was the first four-seat prototype and featured the now-iconic “beetle’s eye” glazed nose composed of 20 optically-flat glass panels. A ventral gondola offset to starboard housed a rearward-facing gunner.

The Ju 88 V5 was a specially modified record-breaking variant powered by Jumo 211B-1 engines and featured a streamlined, faired-over nose. In March and July 1939, it achieved world-class performances by flying with a 2,000 kg payload at average speeds of 517 km/h (321 mph) and 500 km/h (311 mph) over 1,000 km and 2,000 km circuits, respectively. The V6 became the production prototype for the A-series, featuring hydraulically actuated main gear that rotated 90° into the engine nacelles. The V7 served as the basis for the C-series heavy fighter, with a solid nose mounting two 20 mm MG FF cannons and two 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns. It also tested cable-cutting gear for countering British barrage balloons.

Pre-production Ju 88 A-0 aircraft entered trials in early 1939. By this time, the aircraft had been modified for dive-bombing. Dive brakes were installed on the wings, an additional bomb bay added, and the fuselage structurally reinforced. These modifications increased weight and reduced the top speed to about 450 km/h (280 mph). Structural limits were imposed on high-speed maneuvers with dive brakes extended due to stress concerns.

The Ju 88 A-1 officially entered service on 1 September 1939. It had a top speed of 450 km/h (280 mph) and carried up to 2,500 kg (5,510 lb) of bombs, typically loaded on four external pylons beneath the wings. Defensive armament initially consisted of three MG 15s, positioned in the forward windscreen, rear cockpit, and ventral gondola. However, this proved insufficient, and additional lateral and rear cockpit guns were later added.

Several sub-variants followed. The Ju 88 A-2 incorporated rocket-assisted take-off gear, the A-3 was a dual-control trainer, and the A-4, which became the definitive bomber version, featured Jumo 211J engines, increased wingspan, strengthened landing gear, improved armor, and the ability to carry heavier bomb loads. Due to delays with the 211J engine, the A-5 was introduced earlier as an interim model, incorporating many A-4 structural upgrades.

During the Battle of Britain, the Ju 88 was fielded by five Kampfgruppen, with other units still converting. Its agility for a twin-engine bomber, especially in a dive, made it difficult to intercept, and it was generally more robust and survivable than the Heinkel He 111 or Dornier Do 17. However, it was still vulnerable to interception by RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes, and losses steadily increased during sustained operations.

On 27 September 1940, during a daylight raid on south London, 55 Ju 88s of I. and II./KG 77 took off from Laon-Athies. Twelve were lost, including Ju 88 A-1 ‘3Z+EL’ (Wk-Nr 8099), brought down in Kent after engagement by RAF fighters. The surviving crew surrendered, and the crash triggered the Battle of Graveney Marsh, the last engagement between British and enemy troops on mainland British soil. Two Ju 88s from Lehrgeschwader 1 (LG 1) were also lost, along with a reconnaissance version over north Devon.

Despite early setbacks, the Ju 88 would go on to become one of the most successful and adaptable German aircraft of the war, with over 15,000 examples built in dozens of variants – including night fighters, torpedo bombers, pathfinders, reconnaissance platforms, and fast tactical support aircraft.