Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

Can anyone outline the differences in between the Junkers Ju-88A5 and the A6 varient? I have tried the usual ports of call with no success, other than a fleeting mention of the A6 varient.

All help or pointers are as always very well received.

Regards Richard.

Re: Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

I believe the A-6 was virtually the same as the A-5 but the A-6 had the large balloon cable cutting features. The A-6/U was a maritime version also similar to the A-5 but with the Fug 200 (& or Fug 217?) Hohentwiel search radar installed in the ventral gondola.

Re: Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

Hi, Richard...

In addition to Clint's comments, the A-5 cable-cutter pics I've seen have earier styled A-1 engine cowlings, ie no blister on the lower cowling surface like the A-4 had. Also, the A-6/U pics I've seen do have the later A-4 style cowlings with the blisters.

Regards,

Paul

Re: Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

Clint & Paul

Many thanks indeed for your help with this request, it is much appreciated indeed.

Regards Richard.

Re: Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

Just to qoute an original Luftwaffe source: "Zusammenstellung der Eingeführten Flugzeugmuster" from 1. april 1941.

"A-6 wie A-5 mit Ballonabweiser"

So A-6 is a A-5 with balloncutter.

Junker

Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

Gents

I genuinly appreciate all the help offered both on this post and via PM.

I have also been pointed in the direction of the link below, which offers a good general description of all Ju-88 vairients.

http://ikg26.proboards.com/index.cgi?bo ... thread=230

Regards Richard

Re: Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

Just to complicate life, it has been argued (by Manfred Griehl?) that the "A-6/U" designation is a postwar invention. The gondola wasn't integral to the fuselage structure so its removal didn't require a change at factory level and hence a new type designation.

Re: Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

I don't agree with Griehl on a number of items related to the Ju 88, but if he is saying the A-6/U is a postwar invention, IMHO he is correct on this one. One of the frequently seen examples is in William Green's big book. The mounting points for the radar are incorrectly identified as the mounting points for the cable cutter. In that particular case the Ju 88 wasn't even an A-6 to start with. In the loss lists and other primary documents, IIRC there are no Ju 88 A-6/Us listed.

Best regards,

Artie Bob

Re: Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

So what would be the correct designation?

Re: Junkers Ju-88A5 to A6
 

AFAIK it would just be an A-6 (or whatever sub-type); as a reconnaissance machine it could be one of the D-series. I have seen German strength returns that add "Ho" (for Hohentwiel) to the type name, to designate a radar-equipped machine but that might just be a convenience at unit level rather than anything Junkers would have used.