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Germany's Junkers Ju 88G night fighter1
Junkers Ju 88G-6b night fighter1:
Design
The forward fuselage of the Ju 88G was modified from previous Ju 88 variants.1 The square surfaces of the tail were larger.1
Prototypes
The prototype of the Ju 88G first flew in early 1944.1 It had a FuG 217 radar, two 20 mm in the nose, and four 20 mm in the ventral tray.1
Variants
- Ju 88G-0: Pre production.1 The nose guns were removed.1
- Ju 88G-1: Had the FuG 227 radar.1
- Ju 88G-2: Experimental equipment modifications.1
- Ju 88G-3: Experimental equipment modifications.1
- Ju 88G-4: Experimental equipment modifications.1
- Ju 88G-5: Experimental equipment modifications.1
- Ju 88G-6a: The equipment was improved.1
- Ju 88G-6b: Had FuG 220 radar.1 Had the Schräge Musik system of upwards firing guns.1
- Ju 88G-6c: Used Junkers Jumo 213 V 12 engines.1 The cowlings were annular.1
- Ju 88G-7: Used Junkers Jumo 213 engines.1
- Ju 88G-7a: Intruder.1 Had Junkers Jumo engines.1 The ventral weapons could be jettisoned.1 Had FuG 220 radar.1 The engines were optionally equipped with methanol water power boost.1
- Ju 88G-7b: Intruder.1 Had Junkers Jumo engines.1 Had bomb racks under the wings.1 Used the FuG 228 or FuG 218 radar.1 The antennae were enclosed in a lengthened nose cone.1
- Ju 88G-7c: Used FuG 240 radar.1 The antennae were enclosed in a shorter nose cone.1
Usage
The Ju 88G was used by Germany.1
The Ju 88G entered service in the summer of 1944.1 It replaced the Ju 88C, Ju 88R, and Bf 110 night fighters as the Nachtjagdgeschwaders' standard equipment.1
Effective Night Fighter
The Ju 88Gs destroyed more Allied bombers than all other night fighters combined.1
Night Intruder
The Ju 88Gs continued to be used on night intruder missions over Britain until 1945.1 One Ju 88G was the last German plane shot down over Britain.1
| Junkers Ju 88G1 | Junkers Ju 88G-11 | Junkers Ju 88G-61 | Junkers Ju 88G-71 | Junkers Ju 88G-7b1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Night fighter1 | Night fighter1 | Night fighter1 | Night fighter1 | Intruder1 |
| Crew | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41 | |
| Engine (Type) | 2: BMW 801D/G1 | 2: BMW 801D/G1 | 2: Junkers Jumo 213E1 | ||
| Cylinders | Radial 141 | Radial 141 | Inverted V 121 | ||
| Cooling | |||||
| HP | 1,700 each1 | 1,700 each1 | 1,725 each1 | ||
| Propeller blades | 3 each1 | 3 each1 | 3 each1 | ||
| Fuel capacity | |||||
| Dimensions | |||||
| Span | 65' 10.5"1 20.08 m1 |
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| Length | 54' 1.5"1 16.5 m1 |
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| Height | 15' 11"1 4.85 m1 |
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| Wing area | |||||
| Weight | |||||
| Empty | 28,900 lb1 13,109 kg1 |
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| Loaded | 32,350 lb1 14,674 kg1 |
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| Maximum load | |||||
| Performance | |||||
| Speed at sea level | 270 mph1 434 kph1 |
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| Speed @ 29,800' / 9,083 m (water methanol boost) |
389 mph1 626 kph1 |
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| Speed @ 33,500' / 10,210 m |
363 mph1 584 kph1 |
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| Cruising speed | |||||
| Climb | 1,655'/minute1 504 m/minute1 |
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| Climb to 30,200' / 9,205 m |
26.4 minutes1 | ||||
| Service ceiling | |||||
| Range | 1,400 miles1 2,253 km1 |
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| Armament | |||||
| Ventral tray | 4: 20 mm1 | ||||
| Rear cockpit | 1: 13 mm MG1 | ||||
| Upper fuselage - firing up | 2: 20 mm1 | ||||
| Bombs - under wings | 3,305 lb1 1,500 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
