Unknown aircraft type (August 1944)

[Recceswind]

Hello,

Enclosed is aerial reconnaissance photo taken in August 1944 over NE Germany. Could you please help me and try to identify the aircraft types? Two Junkers Ju 88 and two ... ???

Thanks!
R

[John Beaman]

Look like Do 217s or some sort of Dornier.

[Recceswind]

I don't think so. In my opinion they have three engines...

[zorglub]

Italian Cant 1007 bis ?

Could be junkers 352. All the best, Robert

[Recceswind]

In my opinion these aircraft possess a twin tail fin configuration. Cant Z.1007bis is very, very probable. Maybe Fiat G.12?

Do you have any info on the service of Z.1007bis and Fiat G.12 with the Luftwaffe in mid 1944?

Thanks!

[obdl3945]

Just my opinion, but I agree that the aircraft at the bootom of this picture are twin-tail versions of the Cant Z1007; those at the top of the image are likely to be German Ju88s... I would suggest the slight 'kink' in shape at the mid-wing point, as suggested by the shadow on the ground behind them, is in keeping with that feature of the '88'.

Regards,

Paul

[Denniss]

Do 217K

[mjbollinger]

Where was the photo taken? Which airfield is this?

[Recceswind]

Hi,

I have just checked the wingspan of the aircraft at the top (ca. 100 pixels) and on the bottom (ca. 129 pixels) of the image. If aircraft at the top are Ju 88s, 100 pixels = 18,4 m (wingspan of the Ju 88).

100 pixels = 18,4 m
129 pixels = X

129 x 18,4 : 100 = X
X = 23,74 m

It means that the aircraft on the bottom of the image can't be Do 217 (19 m), Fiat G.12 (28,60 m) or Ju 352 (34,20 m). They must be Cant Z.1007 (24,80 m)!

Thanks!
P.S. The photo was taken in August 1944 over West Prussia or Pomerania. Maybe these Cants served with IV./TG 4?