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Germany's Junkers Ju 388L photo-reconnaissance1
Junkers Ju 388K high altitude bomber1
Junkers Ju 388J "Störtebeker", night fighter1
Junkers Ju 388V-2 night fighter:
Junkers Ju 388L-1 photo reconnaissance:
Design
The Junkers 388 fulfilled a requirement for a high speed long range bomber.1 It was based on the Ju 188S and Ju 188T.1
Prototypes
The reconnaissance prototype first flew at the end of 1943.1
The night fighter prototype first flew in January 1944.1
The bomber prototype first flew in 1944 (after the night fighter prototype).1
Production
- Prototypes: 51
- Ju 388K-0: 101
- Ju 388K-1: 51
- Ju 388L-0: 101
- Ju 388L-1: 451
- Ju 388L-3: 21
- Total: 771
Variants
- Ju 388J: Was given high production priority but none were delivered before the end of World War II.1
- Ju 388K: Had a bulged bomb bay.1
- Ju 388L:
- Ju 388L-0: Pre production.1 First flew in May 1944.1
- Ju 388L-1: Delivery started in August 1944.1
- Ju 388L-3: Had Junkers Jumo 213 V 12 engines (1,750 HP).1
Usage
Germany used the Junkers Ju 388s.1
| Junkers Ju 3881 | Junkers Ju 388J1 | Junkers Ju 388K1 | Junkers Ju 388L-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Night fighter1 | High altitude bomber1 | Photo reconnaissance1 | |
| Crew | ||||
| Engine (Type) | 2: BMW 801TJ1 | |||
| Cylinders | Radial 141 | |||
| Cooling | ||||
| HP | 1,810 each1 | |||
| Propeller blades | 3 each1 | |||
| Fuel capacity | ||||
| Dimensions | ||||
| Span | 72' 2"1 22 m1 |
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| Length | 49' 0.5"1 14.95 m1 |
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| Height | 14' 7.25"1 4.45 m1 |
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| Wing area | ||||
| Weight | ||||
| Empty | 22,600 lb1 10,251 kg1 |
|||
| Loaded | 32,352 lb1 14,675 kg1 |
|||
| Performance | ||||
| Speed @ 29,790' / 9,080 m with water methanol boost |
407 mph1 655 kph1 |
|||
| Speed @ 40,300' / 12,285 m |
383 mph1 616 kph1 |
|||
| Cruising speed | 280 mph1 540 kph1 |
|||
| Climb | 1,330'/minute1 405 m/minute1 |
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| Climb to 36,090' / 11,000 m |
30 minutes1 | |||
| Service ceiling | 44,095'1 13,440 m1 |
|||
| Range | 2,160 miles1 3,476 km1 |
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| Armament | ||||
| Tail barbette | 2: 13 mm MG1 | |||
| Under fuselage pod | 2: 20 mm1 2: 30 mm1 |
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| Bombs | 6,614 lb1 3,000 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
