[obdl3945]

Hi...

Ed, thanks for your additional posting. I understand better now, as you've explained the sub-types and entry into service aspects, but I do still think my question is pertinent in that if someone makes a seemingly definitive statement as in this case, that this particular aircraft is a D-5, then the confirmation of that - not the reasoning behind the person's conclusion - should be shared. That was what my question was asking you to do. In other words, I have no problem with your reasoning; that is logical and sound enough. It is, however, the incontrovertible proof, if you or anyone else has it, that I was asking for.

If you had said in your original posting, I think, or I believe this to be a D-5 because.... etc, then that would've been fine, as it would've allowed a degree of leeway, in case it turned out to be a different outcome to that expected. It is your apparent confidence that this is definitely a D-5 that I find a little unusual. I would not seek to diminish your obvious knowledge of sub-type production and entry into service dates and timescales, but I have seen several highly unusual hybrids of Ju88s over the years to believe that there is probably room for manoeuvre here. You may well be proved 100% correct in the long run, but personally, I think unevidenced statements can be rather misleading, and ultimately hinder, not help, the matter.

Kindest regards...