Ju88A-?

[obdl3945]

Hi, folks...

I'm looking for confirmation of the Ju88A which was shot down by AA fire on 3 October, 1940, whilst bombing the De Havilland factory at Hatfield.

I'm led to believe the W.Nr. may have been 4136, and that the machine was coded 3Z+BB, but the rather old book giving these details shows the aircraft in A-1 layout, but the caption says it's an A-4.

If it's not an A-1, I suspect it's more likely to be an A-5... can anyone assist me, please? If anyone has a photo of this aircraft, I would be grateful, especially if it confirms the MG arrangement in the rear cockpit; single machine-gun, or twin guns in early, non-blistered style canopy?

Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Regards

[ArtieBob]

Ju 88 A-1 W.Nr. 4136 (3Z+BB) was lost on 3 October 1940, so it appears to be the correct aircraft. You didn't identify the photo source, but there was one in the old Battle of Britain book on p.430-431, perhaps that is correct? This was listed in my sources as an A-1 which fits the W.Nr. sequence. Some of the A-1s were retrofitted with the longer span wings, I am not 100% certain they were redesignated as A-5s at that point. Also many Ju 88s had modified defensive gun installations about this time, so thatis also not an absolute ID point.

Best Regards,

Artie Bob

[obdl3945]

Hi...

Thanks for your posting. It wasn't actually a photo the information came from, instead, it was a rather old colour plate in the Osprey series, Luftwaffe Bomber Units, 1939-41, by Jerry Scutts . I know another plate in the same publication has errors, hence the reason I was asking for clarification.

The plan view of the plate shows A-1 style wings, but the profile seems to allude more to the extended A-5/A-4 style, and the rear MG arrangement is of the early double MG layout, but without each weapon having its own circular glazed mounting, but rather the original style apperture with the leather coverings round them, in an un-blistered rear canopy.

I was hoping it would be an A-5, as the recent Hasegawa model would more easily accommodate this version in respect of it's wings, but I would still be unsure about the rear canopy style and weapons layout, given the slight misgivings I have regarding another plate in the publication. If it had been an A-5 retrofitted with an A-4 blistered canopy, I'd be very happy... .

I wouldn't mind seeing the photo you refer to, as the Battle of Britain publication is something I don't have. Anyway, many thanks again for the information you've provided.

Regards...