positions of manufacturer plates on Junkers88

[gilles collaveri]

Hi all,

would somebody be so kind (Steve ?) to show me or explain me where the manufacturer plates showing the Wnr were positionned on a Junkers88 ?

Thanks a lot,

cheers

Gilles

[stephen f. polyak]

Hi Gilles,

As far as the main plate goes - the primary one listing an airplane's W.Nr. - the general answer is on the left side of fuselage in the vicinity of the cockpit. Various "exact" positions were used in that area depending on the Ju88 maker, variant and period of manufacture. And there were different styles/sizes of main plates. The main plate can often be seen in period photos - look for a small, lined B&W rectangle. Typically, it was not overpainted, so it stands out.

There was also a smaller triangular plate affixed at the rear of the airplane (on the Ju88, I believe it was near the tail wheel) that listed the main W.Nr.; this plate served to identify the airplane after a crash.

After that, assorted data and ID plates (those with part, drawing and sequence numbers, dates, inspectors stamps, company names/codes, but rarely the airframe W.Nr.) were on many structural parts and assemblies throughout the airframe from nose to tail, from wing tip to wing tip, and on the stabilizers, etc. These plates were either on the outside or the inside of these structures.

Last, there were were various plates/placards with servicing, maintenance, operating and cautionary information.

All in all, there were quite a few plates on each airplane.

Steve

P.S. If you want to see examples, let me know.

[gilles collaveri]

quick and precise answer, Steve ! as usual ..

Thanks a lot. I am going tomorrow to search for a JU88 wreck somewhere in the mountains. I can hardly believe it is still there but one never knows ?

In case, we find it, I know where to go !

cheers;

Gilles

[stephen f. polyak]

Good, safe hunting my friend . . .

Originally Posted by gilles collaveri

quick and precise answer, Steve ! as usual ..

Thanks a lot. I am going tomorrow to search for a JU88 wreck somewhere in the mountains. I can hardly believe it is still there but one never knows ?

In case, we find it, I know where to go !

cheers;

Gilles

[harrison987]

here is one...right nextto the shield

[stephen f. polyak]

Sure enough, there it is! Hopefully that GI removed it shortly after the photo was taken, or shame on him it he didn't. :-)

Thanks Mike

Originally Posted by harrison987

here is one...right nextto the shield

[edNorth]

Originally Posted by stephen f. polyak

After that, assorted data and ID plates (those with part, drawing and sequence numbers, dates, inspectors stamps, company names/codes, but rarely the airframe W.Nr.) were on many structural parts and assemblies throughout the airframe from nose to tail, from wing tip to wing tip, and on the stabilizers, etc. ..

Quite the contrary, many assembles also had painted W.Nrs. on them (including fuselage in wingroot area), including cowlings etc. Even wing fairings had W.Nr´s painted, but most I have seen to date belonged to Junkers own (FZB) Bernburg assembly line.

Best regards
ed

[stephen f. polyak]

Hi Ed,

Good point, W.Nr. were sometimes painted (free hand or with stencils) on the parts themselves; even an airplane's "own" canvas protective covers and tool pouches could be so marked.

The focus of my reply was, no surprise, metal plates. Furthermore, decals in the style of plates, with entries written in pen, were also used to identify parts.

It's all fascinating to me . . .

Best regards,
Steve

Originally Posted by edNorth

Quite the contrary, many assembles also had painted W.Nrs. on them (including fuselage in wingroot area), including cowlings etc. Even wing fairings had W.Nr´s painted, but most I have seen to date belonged to Junkers own (FZB) Bernburg assembly line.

Best regards
ed

[gilles collaveri]

thanks guys,

whatever we find tomorrow in the forests of France I 'll let you know.

Maybe nothing, maybe an almost complete JU88, who knows?

The local "urban legend" says this JU88 was discovered in 1975 with still the bones of the crews in there (they were sent back to families) then the A/C was forgotten, then it was "re-discovered" in 1986 by a mushroom collector, who came back with the police to show them the aircraft and... he could never find it again ! the bushes there are very thick.

so, maybe it is still there ?

maybe it is a complete hoax...

Anyway, we know the area, we have boots and knives and the GPS.

Tomorrow night I'll update you, whatever the results.

Touch wood for us and enjoy the week-end.


GC

[gilles collaveri]

just found a couple of airframe parts. Likely to belong to a JU88.

I shall post pictures tomorrow.

Evening '

GC