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Re: JU88 "4D+HN" 5/KG30 missing 29 Sep 41
OK, Igor, so 3306 landed in German held terretory. Thanks for that detail, it helps. BA-MA Fliegenden Verband losses (GQM series) actually do not give codes for either one. These must be second source (NvM?) or other.
Code appears be "4D+RN" but Soviet era photos can be doktored, as some (at least one of this plane) was published in English/American magazine and already known during the war, where Soviet sailor-soldier conviniently stands in front of the individual and staffel code. So I toss 4D-RN or 4D-HN out of the equation.
My investigation then focussed into minor details on the bellied Ju 88 A-5 ("4D+RN") and this appears have short Ju 88 A-1 "(early)" version* lifeboat hatch / compartmant and earlier located inspection hole, aft of it, fitting for 0885039, as it was ATG made A-1 originally (04.40) - and later upgraded wings/armament to A-5 standard - but fuselage was still older one (but repaired by WNF) A-1. But not fitting for 0883306 that was A-5 (HFW) and later version, made in February 1941.
Prior code (Stkz or Vbkz.) can not be stated for certainity, perhaps a/c has been transferred before as it was relatively old a/c (ATG assembled, already flying 29.04.40 at Leipzig). The Ju 88 at Vaenga has been known for some time, note ex-RAF Hampden, but this can quite well be A-5 088/5039 with some "new parts" (engines and props) scrounged from crashes elsewhere, even spares parts coming from the two Soviet Ju 88 K-1 sold to the USSR, flown over in May 1940 (0885023 and 5025)
*Later a/c (later production) had larger / longer lifeboat bay (4 man Rubber boat / dinghy with sail & oars AND survival-&-transmitter kit compartment).
My 10 cents.
Last edited by edNorth; 3rd November 2021 at 16:47.
Reason: typo; more info as 5039 was ex-WNF repair
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