JU 88 Id plate

[Tolesa]

Please for your help with this. From wing or... ?

[Snautzer]

8-88-*** must be engine related.

[Tolesa]

Many thanks. Type of motor you can read from it?

[edNorth]

Hi.

Originally Posted by Snautzer

8-88-*** must be engine related.

Not correct. That be 9-xxx because 8-88 xxx (was) is for Airframe.

Tolesa:

If your English understading or writing capabilities is limited, please say so. Not everybody is fluent and I often make mistakes in writing this. Please adwise if other parts can be found from this aircraft. Else this research (answer below) is uncomplete.

Part Number "8-88 123 Z 02" is for Gondola (front portion of Gondola located under cockpit, this plate was fastened on Wood bulkhead behind Gondola nose window.)

First this: Info given by Jim P in other thread is "raw" (uncorrected). And comparing that info "raw" to potential dataplates in the aircraft "0401" can give false or misleading resaults. The "production" dates marked or attributed to "Medcalf" in his posts, usually are one or more month off true "production" dates (according to my research).

This was not "D-2 0401" but A-5 F number 0880401 when built and letter F standing for "Fernerkúnder" (Long Range Reconnaissance) and it was presumably* assembled out of major parts or components made in about July and/or August 1940. I think it likely was accepted by BAL (Luftwaffe) in September 1940. Safety code was CB+OA.

*Parts were used "on available bases", not strictly "in date order" and older (or repaired) parts used also. My analyses on known part (plate) dates in several Ju 88 aircraft, reveal they often were produced (stamped) in about two previous calender months. Repair factories used whatever part was available or ready, to speed up re-deliveries.

Exact first flight or acceptance dates for Ju 88 A-5 F 0880401 are not at hand (in my files, and I am lookout for all such info) but my writing here is based on info on aircraft A-(1)5 number 0880393 (BAL accepted 30.08.40) and below, and A-5 number 0880405, 0406, 0408 and 0411. These aircraft were all flown their first test flights before end of August 1940.

Your plate is airframe plate. Serial number for this part is "1311". Part number 8-88 123 Z 02 fits for Gondola (Serial sequence fits those made by Adam Opel - but that portion is corruded away - but plate was located on bulkhead behind nose glass window (for Bomb Aimer / Observer.)

I have photos of such plate (for comparision) but your image is rather small for me to see if any digits might be missing. I think not. Bottom line is date that part was made: 4 41 (April 1941).

The date on your plate is much later that initial production date for number 0880401. So is this from "0401"? Hard to say for shure. It might also have been produced for Ju 88 D-2 serial in 08808xx range, that were assembled in about April/May 1941 - Originally the 0880401 was Ju 88 A-5 F version - unless it was rebuilt, and redelivered as Ju 88 D-2.

The Ju 88 D-2 was similar to the Ju 88 D-1 but with older type engines (Jumo 211 G). Your plate might have been spare part or be an replacement part fitted after (two) crashes known recorded for number 0880401.

Your plate is NOT original part (plate) fitted to A-5 F 0880401. The part this plate depicts, could first have been used on very early Ju 88 D-1 (Fernerkúnder), that were starting to be assembled in May/June 1941, or just about any Ju 88 that had Gondola ...

Best regards
Ed