Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum - Wanted: Crashed Enemy A/C Reports Germany & Denmark

Quote:

Originally Posted by edNorth (Post 119983)

hi,

Labelling all of the I/KG 66 Ju 188 aircraft flying to Norway as D-2 is (most) likely wrong - In my opinion - Judging from known strength list 31.12.44 (ww2.dk) - Then I/KG 66 only had Ju 88 S-3´s on strength - But BAMA data has, the I/KG 66 was indeed issued 14 aircraft on 26.02.45 (5) and 24.02.45 (9) of the Ju 188 D-3 (Beleuter) version. These had been converted (Umbau) over previous few weeks from Ju 188 D-2 (Recce) aircraft. So far, all known or indentified Ju 188 D-3´s, were from Siebel production.

I can not judge "Ju 188 S-5" out as typo per se, I prefer to let it stand as it is! It could by yet another (minor) modification of Ju 188 A-2 / D-2, but so far, I have no other record of this particular machine, or if it was a "special" Umbau.

Remember, the I/KG 66 was a Kampfgeschwader (Bomber Unit) and the "S" does indeed suggest a Bomber version. Also the (Ju88) S-1 and S-3 were built and used in some numbers. It´s not that unlikely there were some few (Ju188) S-5´s too.

Finally a happy and prosperous new year to all.
ed

Ed, Jörn, Seaplanes,

Thanks a lot for your input. I can add the following: In the GQM lists of March 1945 the following Ju 188s are mentioned:

17 March 1945, Fl.Pl. Dedelstorf, "Bruchlandung inf. Bedienungsfehler", Ju 188 (no subtype given), W.Nr. 151007, 15% Bruch. Is it possible to juge from the W.Nr. if it's a D-2 or D-3?
27 March 1945, Fl.Pl. Neubrandenburg, "Bruchlandung inf. Bedienungsfehler", Ju 188 D-3, W.Nr. 230754, 75% Bruch
29 March 1945, Fl.Pl. Wesendorf, "techn. Mangel beim Start", Ju 188 D-3, W.Nr. 151004, 13 (15?)% Bruch

To be honest, I don't have a clue what (i.e. which equipment) makes a D-3 a "Beleuchter" and why the normal bomber version shouldn't be good enough for I./KG66. (After all, they used the normal Ju 88 S-1/S-3 and Ju 188 E-1 bomber versions earlier for Pathfinding over Britain.) Longer range or extra FuG maybe? My reference material is lacking... I think I am, just like everybody else on this board, burning with anticipation to finally get my hands on that ultimate Ju 88/188 book!! Anybody has any updates regarding the status of Artie Bob's (or others) project?

Regards,

Marcel