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Ju 388 file photo [5694]

Ju 388 Störtebeker

CountryGermany
ManufacturerJunkers
Primary RoleMedium Bomber
Maiden Flight22 December 1943

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Ju 388 Störtebeker aircraft were developed from the Ju 88 and Ju 188 line of bombers by Junkers. When German intelligence learned the altitude capabilities of a new American heavy bomber design (which was eventually designated the B-29 Superfortress), there were thoughts that this path of Ju 188 development were originally branch off to potentially intercept such American bombers. Just as B-29 bombers were never deployed against Germany during WW2, Ju 388 development never moved toward that direction, either; only three night fighter variants were actually built. Instead, most of the about 100 total Ju 388 Störtebeker aircraft built were capable long range reconnaissance aircraft; a small number of them were built as high altitude bombers. In early 1945, a Ju 388 Störtebeker aircraft, flying at the altitude of 13,410 meters over the English Channel, was shot down by a Spitfire fighter flying at a lower altitude; this engagement is said to be the highest altitude shoot down of WW2. In 1945, a Ju 388L-1 aircraft was captured at the Junkers Merseburg plant in May 1945, which was tested in Germany and the United States; this aircraft now belongs to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in the United States, awaiting restoration.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Mar 2008

SPECIFICATIONS

Ju 388J
MachineryTwo BMW 801J 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine rated at 1,810hp each
Armament2x20mm MG 151 forward cannons, 2x30mm MK 103 or MK 108 forward cannons, 2x13mm MG 131 remoted controlled tail machine guns
Crew3
Span22.00 m
Length16.29 m
Height4.35 m
Wing Area56.00 m²
Weight, Empty10,400 kg
Weight, Maximum14,675 kg
Speed, Maximum616 km/h
Speed, Cruising540 km/h
Service Ceiling13,440 m

Photographs

Ju 388L aircraft at an airfield, date unknownCaptured Ju 388L-1 aircraft in US markings, post-WW2




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Alan says:
4 Mar 2008 02:41:26 AM

I have reservations about the statement that the Ju388 was developed to counter the American B-29 (An aircraft that was not deployed in Europe until after the war). The first Prototype was converted from the airframe of a Ju.188. This was followed by some 10 Ju.388K-0 pre-production and 5 Ju.388K-1 bombers, 47 Ju.388L Photo-Reconnaissance aircraft and 3 Ju388J All weather fighters.
2. Simon says:
1 Feb 2013 06:32:21 AM

I have reservations about the claimed shoot down: no squadron or aircraft tail number is given for either side. A sign of fishiness. It's likewise with claims of shoot downs of Ju 86R by Spitfire V; it never happened.

Apart from the BMW 801TJ engine there was the even more powerfull BMW 801TQ.

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Ju 388L aircraft at an airfield, date unknownCaptured Ju 388L-1 aircraft in US markings, post-WW2


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