What can we say about the child, "Junkers", more precisely, Heinrich Ewers and Alfred Gassner? Only one: they did. 15 000 produced aircraft. It is a recognition, The car went very, very good.
It all started back in Now 1935 year, When thinking of a change in the offensive part of the Luftwaffe. Good thinking, and instead Kampfzerstorer concept, which was a mixture of some quite insane multipurpose fighter, bomber and ground attack, the idea was put forward by a dedicated high-speed bomber Schnellbomber.
Schnellbomber is also a highly original Wishlist, because it was a theory in a compromise between the specific speed and other qualities, required for a multi-purpose machine. Armor and defensive weapons, for example.
The Luftwaffe considered, that if such a bomber, having a speed, comparable to modern fighters, It has a better chance of surviving, then do not need to spend money on a book.
The logic of this was. If a fighter, whose aim is to catch up with a set of height bomber, flying at a speed of at 20-30 km / h enlarge, than that of a fighter. That is the task of actually unsolvable.
Schnellbomber to the requirements sent to firms «Focke-Wulf», «Henschel», «Yunkerc» and «Messerşmitt».
"Focke-Wulf" from the contest turned aside, "Messerschmitt" tried to push her to the competition such as "new» Bf.162, which was completely revised under the same conditions of competition Bf.110, but the "Junkers" and "Henschel" began to develop a completely new machine.
by the way, "Henschel" created "a very interesting machine Hs.127, but not in time for deadlines.
"Messerschmitt" refused to participate, recommending to engage fighters. So as such competition has not turned out quite.
Happened, The project "Junkers" was the only. So began testing.
At all, The aircraft received quite a interesting. At his trial finally broke up right up 520 kmh. weaponry, true, was more than modest. One defensive machine gun and 8 bombs weighing 50 kg.
but you will agree, at 1937 year, not every fighter can fly as fast. can say, that «Schnellbomber» project was materialized in metal.
But not a bit of it. Germany sample 1938 year - is not China, although something similar. The presence of ultra-fast bomber, the Germans did not agree completely, ... so they decided to remake it into a dive bomber!
Yes, that's, just, Why not?
clear, that Ju-87 success in Spain Shes so pushed to.
But the chief of aircraft Ernst Udet insisted, and "Junkers" sat down to rework. clear, that it has been difficult, as taught to dive the aircraft, it does not originally intended, not so easy.
It was necessary to develop air brakes, devices, facilitating piloting the machine at the input and output of a dive, reinforce the wing structure. Well, at the same time we decided to strengthen the defensive armament.
In general, I get a car, very different from the original prototype. The most noticeable difference is the new forward fuselage with «facet» glazed. It has become a useful option, since almost all the nose of the plane became transparent, which greatly facilitated the search for the pilot to the target in a dive.
Under the cab is equipped with a machine gun the lower gondola MG.15, able to fire back down.
Ie Armament doubled. Subsequently, there was a third machine gun, course. Powered guns were store-bought. Ammo was 1500 pcs.
Bomb bay on the plane was two: in the front can be suspended 18, and in the rear compartment - 10 bombs 50 kg. And between the nacelles and fuselage installed four bomb racks for bombs greater weight, than standard 50 kg.
Armament 88th constantly intensified, to the extent that, as the intensified armed fighters.
The beginning of the Second World War showed weak security Ju-88 side against attacks. Since at the time at the disposal of the designers did not have a normal gun, which can be installed on a bomber, and heavy machine guns were also being finalized, the strengthening of arms Ju-88A-4, basic modification bomber, limited to replacement of machine guns on MG.15 MG.81, power which carried loose ribbon of metal links.
Plus added two more gun emplacements to protect the side-view and one for shooting forward and down.
Ju.88A crew consisted of four people: pilot, sitting on the left front seat, bombardier-navigator, to the right of him and slightly behind, radio operator-gunner, chair which is located behind the pilot and was deployed ago, as well as flight engineer, workplace which are located behind the striker.
Bombardier could also fire the machine gun from the front, mounted in the right frontal cockpit glass. In case of necessity of such weapons, fixed bracket, I could shoot and pilot, but the sighting he had to carry out, maneuvering around the aircraft.
We scorer just in case (serious injury or death of the pilot) there was a small detachable Center stick. The pedals are mounted only in the pilot. To compensate for the aircraft turn when flying on one engine scorer has a small WHEEL, controls the position of the rudder trim.
The upper rear defensive installation serviced gunner-radio operator, and the bottom - borttehnik. The latter are prohibited from being at the bottom of the gondola at the stages of taxiing, takeoff and landing, because in case of breakage ventral rack chassis «bath» often destroyed.
properly, in this way the 88th goes to war. He finished it in a completely different guise, but it is the crown of a separate article, because machine guns were replaced by heavy machine guns, instead of some established gun.
The first combat missions in World War II Ju.88 (These were modifications of A-1) They made against the British ships near Norway. The debut was a success, but we can just say, what, despite Goering arranged rush work, Ju.88 the war late.
At all, Goering set production. The main assembly line at the factory "Junkers" in Dessau had to produce 65 Ju.88А. But the task provided for Hering 300 machines per month, therefore, it has been involved a number of other firms plants:
- factories «arado» (Brandenburg), «Henschel» (Schoenefeld) и AEG - 80 Pieces per Month;
- factories «Heinkel» (Oranienbaum) and «Dornier» (Wismar) — 70 Pieces per Month;
- plant «Dornier» (Friedrichshafen) — 35 Pieces per Month;
- plants and ATG «Zybel» — 50 Pieces per Month.
but, despite, almost all have begun to produce "Junkers", to the beginning of the blitzkrieg was released 133 ready aircraft, who took part in the hostilities.
Battle of Britain revealed, that the 88th actually more well-behaved in battle. High speed did not prevent loss, but compared with losses Dornier Do.17 and Heinkel He.111, Ju.88 losses were smaller.
By the end of the Battle of Britain to combat units began to arrive Ju.88A-4.
The car was a little slower, than A-1, but "childhood diseases" have been resolved and Ju.88A-4 has become a highly effective fighting machine.
But at the very beginning of the article sounded the universality of phrase. so here, start now about it.
And we start with TTX, although I usually finish them. But not at this time.
Modification Ju.88a-4:
Wingspan, m: 20,00
Length, m: 14,40
Height, m: 4,85
wing area, m2: 54,50
Weight, kg
- empty aircraft: 9 870
- normal take-off: 12 115
- maximum take-off: 14 000
Engine: 2 x Junkers Jumo-211J-1 x 1340
full speed, kmh: 467
Cruising speed, kmh: 400
practical range, km: 2 710
The maximum rate of climb, m / min: 235
Service ceiling, m: 8 200
Crew, people: 4
weaponry:
- one 7.9-mm machine gun MG-81 forward;
- one movable 13 mm MG-131 or two MG-81 to the mobile unit forward;
- two MG-81 back-up;
- a MG-131 and MG-81, two back-and-down;
— 10 x 50 kg bombs in the bomb bay and 4 h 250 kg or 2 x 500 kg bomb under center, or 4 x 500 kg bomb under center.
so, I meant to say? Only that, that the 88th was a very outstanding aircraft for its time. And when compared with competitor, Ne.111, who is better - it is still the question. But comparisons we will have to come, long winter evenings compare. The image and likeness, as compared the "Corsair" and "Hellketa".
Germans, being pragmatic and meticulous people, also understood, that 88 minutes is quite a success. And they began to create ...
During the "Battle of Britain", the Germans drank much blood barrage balloons, English is widely used as a cover for industrial centers. Really, worthless bubbles, raised at a decent height, They represent a threat to the aircraft, especially at night.
And not the first modification of the bomber was the 88th aircraft the minesweeper, which the, like a ship similar purpose, had «to clear the fairway» for the bulk bombers.
So there was an option Ju.88А-6, with a metal-farm Paravani with cutters on the ends of cables.
The total weight was farm 320 kg, yet 60 adding a counterweight kg, disposed in the rear fuselage. Bombs, of course, such aircraft also took less, to compensate for the weight and Paravan, and increased aerodynamic load.
The idea was not bad, but failed to implement it. At first, plane - is not strong enough stuff, therefore contact with the rope at a speed of 350 km / h was often fatal. Secondly, Unlike sea trawlers, aircraft rarely fly in the wake ranks. Because the swept band, especially at night, usually it remained unclaimed. So basically after the end of the "Battle" all trawlers were converted into ordinary bombers.
Part of the aircraft of this modification altered in the long sea scouts. "Kondorov" not grasping, so the machine, was named Ju.88A-6 / U It proved very useful.
The crew of these vehicles was reduced to three, bottom gondola dismantled, and the forward fuselage installed radar FuG 200 «Khoentvili». Instead of bombs on foreign holders suspended fuel tanks. In addition to the radar «Khoentvili» Some machines received radar kit «Sprout» or joints 217, antenna which is located on the wing. Detection range of cruise ship of a class or a large transport in favorable conditions reached 50 nautical miles.
Another family, rather pernicious, steel torpedo.
At the beginning 1942 g. based Ju.88A-4 bomber version was created Ju.88А-4 / Тоrр.
Alterations produced on repair plant using a special set dorabotochnogo, It provides for the replacement of the four external bomb racks ETC two torpedo PVC, each of which can be suspended aircraft torpedo LTF 5b weight 765 kg.
Brake lattice and automatic withdrawal of the dive were taken for complete uselessness, but Ju.88A-4 / Torr often carried MG / FF gun in the forward fuselage or ventral nacelle.
Reset torpedoes implemented using electric, in the photo you can see the special fairings, which closes the wires and rods, going to the castles.
Some aircraft were equipped with radars FuG 200, it was a small factory series Ju.88А-17. These machines ventral gondola was absent initially, and the crew was reduced to three members. Weight Torpedo, which could take on board up to 1100 kg.
Torpedo based Ju.88A-4 performed well in the Mediterranean, in the Atlantic, that the North.
It was the assault option, Ju.88А-13. Plane booked additionally from the front fire and placed in a container, integrated for the first bombolyuk 16 (sixteen!) machine gun 7.92 mm, firing forward and down. The second bomb bay was 500 kg fission bombs SD-2. The plane was used only in the initial period of war, as further 7.92-mm machine guns become irrelevant.
When the British began to bother Germany raids, and had to do heavy fighter. Such, which can be a long time to patrol, covering the area, and then to attack targets as they become available.
Ju.88С. It was 7 modifications, which differed motors, weapons and equipment. The most common was Ju.88S-2, on the basis of which the modification of the C-3 were created, 4, 5.
Basically arms Ju.88S gun consisted of 20-mm or 13-mm machine guns and machine guns three 7.92 mm in the nose. The crew was reduced to three (minus navigator).
bomb load the aircraft was not carrying, air brakes were not established. Night version manned radar (Depending on the version) Run-202, Fug-212, FuG-220 and FuG-227.
Not without scouts, Ju.88Д. The same base-4, but removed the bomb armament, air brakes, installed additional fuel tanks. Flight range increased to 5000 km.
Naturally, Scouts carrying aerial cameras.
We should also mention such an interesting design, as Ju.88G. This is another night fighter-interceptor, released a series of almost 4000 machines.
The plane produced by the use of the fuselage and tail and wing Ju.188 Ju.88A-4.
Arming interceptor locator FuG-220 "Lihtenshetyn" and six 20-mm cannons MG-151.
There was an inverse circuit, when he took the fuselage of Ju.88A-4, and the wing of Ju.188. It was called Ju.88G-10.
We can not ignore another attack, but released specifically for the destruction of armored vehicles in the middle of the war.
Ju.88Р. They were made on the basis of the same Ju.88A-4, air brakes and bomb removed, and put artillery armament.
Ju.88R-1 carried in a special container with a fairing 75 mm gun Rak-40. Built these little monsters, because it quickly became clear, that the aircraft rapidly destroyed by fire.
Ju.88R-3 was more mundane. Two 37mm cannon Flak-38, which, basically, enough to damage the top Soviet tanks.
Ju.88Р-4. Two options: 50-mm gun Kwk-39 with manually operated or 50 mm gun VC-5 with automatic.
It was, naturally, and bombers. Family speed S. Basically, All the same Ju.88A-4, but with different engines and GM-1 system afterburner.
Ju.88S-2 It has a top speed with BMW-801G engines in 615 kmh. But the fastest was a spy Ju.88Т-3, which is at an altitude of 10 000 m gave 640 kmh.
In general, the 88th was a real tool blitzkrieg. Not "Stuck", that something was our first two years of the war, а Ju.88, which the, becomes modernized, otpahal the war. And - we have to admit - as well otpahal.
Probably, miracle, that the firm "Junkers" was able to maintain the war plane on a very good level of performance characteristics and armament, managing the enemy.
And it was not 88 minutes easy and desirable prey. Basically, due to its flying qualities. Although, of course, could and quite a snap.
But the main advantage still had the ability to play any role: dive-bomber, bomber, torpedo-boat, scout, Sturmovik, night-fighter, heavy day fighter ...
Perhaps, «Junkers» Ju.88 safely be called the most versatile aircraft of World War II. Good good-quality machine with a huge modernization potential. No wonder the trophy Ju.88 operated in different countries (including our) to mid-50s.
/Roman Skomorokhov, topwar.ru/
