Ju 88 - B3+IM

[RudiS]

Hi everyone,

attached is a picture of a Ju 88 A4 of 4./KG54 from my collection. I'm looking for more info on this forced-landing: date, place & crew.

II./KG 54 switched to the Ju 88 A4 in november 1941. That's the only clue I can give you.

Thanks in advance,
Rudi.

[ArtieBob]

B3 +IM W.Nr.140396 went MIA on 16 Jan 43 from Tamet-West. I have no further data to confirm if this is the a/c in the photo. My only further comments are that the camouflage appears to be a heavily weathered winter white and that there are no signs that this is an airfield.

Best Regards,

Artie Bob

[edNorth]

Thats most likely not 140396. By that time that was produced (October 1942) the top-of-fin aerodynamic balance (horn) was standard. This plane does not seem to have it (i.e. is early production, made in summer/autum 1941) and has straight fin tip. Period on this photo then seems spring 1942 (faded winter camou.) and damaged about 20% - 40% (incl. combat damage).

[edNorth]

Besides I have found one better suited contender:

3654 dam by enemy fire (20% Er) and belly landed Orsha 14.4.42

Of course this only fullfills: Eastern Front, to have been damaged by enemy, belly landed, spring 1942, produced before late 1941.

The W.Nr. of course is not visible and it could be other aircraft.

[RudiS]

Thanks both Ed & Artie for your replies. It's very much appreciated.

Artie: according to Radtke's loss list in his book, WNr 140396 carried the tactical code B3+JM not B3+IM. Are you sure about your info?

Kind regards,
Rudi.

[edNorth]

Rudi, your plane pictured is NOT A-4 140396,
are you not understanding the explanation ?
(but 140396 is listed B3+IM in losses)

[RudiS]

Ed,

I fully understood that the plane in the picture is not WNr 140396.

I was just wondering where Artie Bob got the code B3+IM from for this aircraft since in Radtke's book this aircraft is coded B3+JM, not IM.

Kind regards,
Rudi.

[edNorth]

Ok, no problem at all, my code for this comes from Ge.Qu.6.Abt. Flugzeugunfalle und verlusten bei der Fliegende Verbande (BA-MA RL 2 ) losses listings.