JU-88 C-6 without gondola

[falcon04]

This photo appears in "International Air Power Review", Volume 19.

It is captioned as an aircraft flown by KG 76 in May 1943. Both the camouflage and configuration are interesting. The WNr. in white is visible on the top of the vertical stab., and all markings appear to have been applied after the camoflage.

Any other photos or info on this aircraft ?

( I have also posted this query on LEMB - apologies for cross-posting, but it seems 12OCH gets a bit more traffic )

[edNorth]

Hello Falcon04;

I have looked at the photo and it indeed is ´D-1 / C-6´ version (no airbrakes). Code of this one appears as +KN or +KR (unit code not is not visible).

There are known a few ´specials´ such as the ´C-6 like´ machine coded F1+KR and used in the Mediterranean - was it perhaps C-6 15740 ? (see loss report below) but the number on the tail is six digits (possibly 360xxx but too early for the 720xxx or 750xxx ranges), but it could be an rebuilt A-4 nevertheless. The loss below is the only one known by II/KG 76 - others belonging to Stab or III/Gruppen.

15740 Ju 88 C-6´ II/KG 76 (Luftflotte 2)
OPS (F) engine failures (100%) north of Rom 21.10.1943 (F Uffz. Alfred Bernecke killed, BF Uffz. Walter Leeger inj/rep allright in LWFLV losses x/31.01.44) (rep as ´A4 3740´ in LWFLV losses 36v06.11.43; amd 15740 in qu/13.11.43 !!!!)

( ~ Not 5740 as that was already destroyed in Rumanian service earlier that month; both 1570 and 1574 known lost before - Number not found in any Ju 88 W.Nr. range)

[falcon04]

edNorth - Appreciate the prompt reply.

Looking at the original high-resolution scan, what appears to be an Italian aircraft - S.79 is my guess - is visible just at the 2 O'Clock position relative to the left wheel of the subject. All you can make out is the broad white fuselage band in the attached pic. - in the original scan the shape of the fuselage and position of the band are totally consistant with this.

Since the subject aircraft also has a white band, this would support a Mediterranean location.

This of course begs the upper-surface camouflage question - a dark green over 65 or 76 or even 79 ???

Also, KG 76 is strictly the photo caption - who knows if that is the unit.

I would guess a C-6 rather than a D-1 - much easier to remove the gondola from a C-6 than to add a gun nose to a D-1 - but who knows.

I have another "gondo-less" Ju-88 which I'm researching - a D-5 shot down over Iceland with which I'm sure you are familiar - but I'll start another thread for that one.

( as an aside, could you possibly select another type face for your posts - I have a very hard time reading the type you've selected ! )

[edNorth]

Hello !

Ok, changed text formatting

cheers
ed

[falcon04]

Thanks - that's much better. Eyes getting too old for some of this !

[Modeldad]

Found pix of two other A and C Ju 88s without a gondola.

[piero]

Hi,

I think 'FB' have the so-called Bola, because is visible the rear part opened, with the MG end the ladder

HTH

piero

[edNorth]

Hi Modeldad,

The all black has gondola, in front of the stair is the
rear gun part of it, hanging down and looking closely one barely sees the front end. However it is so dark it makes one think it has none.

The other one definately has no gondola but an bulge under the rear bay makes it more interesting - the gondola has been removed and newer pating installed - not to mention that it appears to be complete with periscope! Who has info on this one, it escapes me at the moment.

cheers
ed

[Graham Boak]

I interpret the object under the late D as a fuel tank under the wing, not a bulge under the fuselage.

[Peter Achs]

Hi ed,
if you buy the German magazine FLUGZEUG CLASSIC, issue 11/2005 you can read the whole story of this aircraft. I wrote an article about this and several other Ju 88 which were later equipped with BMW 801 I/TI (with turbocharger). The photo shows the C-7, W-Nr. 0648, known unit codes: K9+VH, T9+EH and T9+BL.

Regards Peter