[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Great info/photos. Thanks to all. The factory markings of the Ju88Cs in the photo from "odybvig" were probably photographed during the initial equipping of the unit in Norway circa late April/early May, 1940. The markings on the Ju88C-1s in Goran's photo of 4D+NH & 4D+HH are entirely consistent with the Norway crashes of 4D+FH (10.05.40) and 4D+MH (07.06.40). That dates his photo during that approximate time window. The codes on all four of these aircraft were black, and there was no KG30 "diving eagle" insignia on the noses. All of these appear to me to be Ju88C-1 short wing subtypes. Besides these we now have information or photos on a/c coded +DH(?), +GH, +LH, +PH and + SH, giving us a total of nine identified a/c from the Z Staffel of KG30. Chris Goss says that +NH was flown by Bönsch, can anyone provide his full name and rank during this period?

The problem is Goran's photo of the two Ju88Cs (can't tell the subtypes: C-1s or C-2s?), with the white KG30 diving eagle insignia on the noses, and the nearest carrying the a/c letter "D" in a non-black color, thinly outlined in white. Based on the photos of the two crashes in Norway, this leaves us only a very limited period from 07.06.40 to 07.07.40 for the unit's a/c to display this new markings pattern. The Z St. of KG30 became 4./NJG1 on the latter date, which would have required a change in the a/c markings. I propose that the addition of the KG30 insignia and the change in the color and presentation of the individual a/c letter, "D", both happened at the same time, and that this occurred during this very limited one-month time window. I also propose that the "D" was painted in blue, with a thin white outline. This is the same system used on Bf110Cs of 1./ZG1 during this same time period, which carried over to its new unit 1./ErprGr210.

Regarding the C-1 versus C-2 question, Ed North has written me that the "long wingtips were only put into production in June, 1940." I conclude from this that Z St./KG30 probably didn't have any a/c with long wings, and thus no C-2s, if wing length was the distinction between the C-1 (A-1 type) and the C-2 (A-5 type). I think that this is also consistent with what Artie Bob reports in the post above, if I understand his point correctly. I guess it matters when the first C-2s began reached operational units, which would most likely be in early July, about the time that Z St./KG30 became 4./NJG1.

Does anyone have any more evidence (especially photos) to the contrary, or can provide more images and info on this unit? Artie Bob, I'd dearly love to see the photos of Ju88Cs with four-bladed props that you mention. Would you be willing to either post them or send me a copy via direct email?

Regards,