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Junkers Ju 388 (Stortebeker)

1944 WORLD WAR 2

History

The Junkers Ju 88 became a medium bomber of the Luftwaffe during World War II (1939-1945). Emerging in the mid-1930s to meet the continued need for fast bombers, the type was a huge success in conflict - giving countless options to fill a variety of roles.

This guy has flown throughout his war career as a stepper bomber, dive bomber, reconnaissance platform, tank destroyer, heavy fighter and night fighter.

In 1943, the Allies became more involved in bombing operations, and soon new demands were placed on the Luftwaffe. Charged a new fast bomber/heavy fighter with good high-altitude performance and the ability to carry a useful payload. Part of the driving force behind this new design is rumors from the US about a new high-altitude heavy bomber - which will be the Boeing B-29 "Superfortress".

With cabin pressure, advanced systems, and a massive bomb load, the B-29 seriously threatened Germany's war effort and required a direct counterattack to be ready.

This led to a new Junkers design based on the classic Ju 88 airframe. The Ju 188 was also developed from this aircraft, which served as a useful tactical bomber and reconnaissance platform from February 1943, with 1,234 machines produced. Junkers engineers modified a Ju 188T-0 for high-altitude work, and then produced three more prototypes, each modeled after a mission-specific versiona photographic reconnaissance plane, a night fighter, and a general-purpose bomber. Cabin pressurization makes it possible to reach very high altitudes. The twin-engine layout of the Ju 88/Ju 188 was retained, and the cockpit used heavy glass to improve visibility.

Early Junkers had their defensive weapons removed to save weight. To cover the key "six" positions of the aircraft, a remote-controlled turret with 2 x 13mm heavy MG 131 machine guns was added. The turret is attached to the tail and guided to the cockpit by means of a periscope device.

Depending on the type of task, the number of standard operators is between two and three. Power is provided by two BMW 801J 14-cylinder radial-piston air-cooled engines, each producing 1,810 horsepower, and reaching a top speed of 385 mph and 44,100 feet per hour.

The climb rate is 1,240 feet per minute.

Completed three main production models, the Ju 388J, Ju 388K and Ju 388L. Model J is equipped with 2 x 20mm MG 151/20 series cannons and 2 x 30mm MK 103 or MK 108 30mm cannons in a fixed forward-firing gun pod under the torso. This is in addition to the 2 x 13mm MG 131 machine guns carried in the rear remote-controlled turret. The design is intended as the final heavy fighter model and can be further equipped with the necessary equipment and weapons for night combat missions.

The Model K features 2 x 13mm MG 131 machine guns as standard in a remote-controlled turret and can handle bomb loads of up to 6,615 lbs - acting as a medium bomber. The Model L is only equipped with 2 x 13mm machine guns in the stern turret, the rest of the onboard storage is used for camera equipment in reconnaissance missions.

The Ju 388M is a torpedo bomber model based on the Ju 388K general bomber model. This design has not been significantly further developed.

The Ju 388 was named "Stortebeker" after a privateer Klaus Stortebeker (1360-1400) from Wismar, northern Germany.

The first flight of the series was recorded on December 22, 1943. The controls are considered good and slightly improved compared to the original Ju 88 and Ju 188 products. After further testing and modification, the aircraft was officially put into use, and the final mass-produced model was the Ju 388L fuselage. This was decided when the B-29 would initially be used in the Pacific Rim against mainland Japan rather than Europe as the Germans had originally expected.

A total of 6 prototypes and 20 L-0 pre-production vehicles formed the final pipeline for the Ju 388. The initial series production consisted of 10 x Ju 388K-0 models. Forty-six Ju 388L-1s were completed in 1944, followed by about eight or more in 1945.

Exact production figures proved elusive in the postwar years, although around 100 Ju 388s are believed to have been completed in total.

The Ju 388 had little availability over the turbulent European front and was believed to be seldom deployed until the end of the war on the European side in May 1945. This series is mainly used for high-altitude reconnaissance missions.

In at least one recorded operation, a Ju 388 landed on the cannon of a high-flying Super Navy Spitfire as the raider flew over Channel airspace from below (it couldn't match the Ju 388's altitude) match).

At some point in the war, at least five German squadrons were equipped with Ju 388s. Night Fighter Squadron 2 manages four pre-production models. The Ju 388 - and other more advanced German fighters - probably also sent their blueprints to Japan for mass production - although none of them materialized by the end of the war.

Captured German Ju 388 prototypes were extensively tested by the Allies after the war. The Smithsonian Institution (National Aviation Museum) has stored a fuselage awaiting restoration for planned display at the Udvar-Hazey Center.