History Brief, by Johan Visschedijk December 1, 2003

Junkers Ju 388

In an attempt to counter the high-altitude night-flying RAF Mosquito’s and to introduce new types without the disruption usually caused by entirely new types, the RML selected the Junkers Ju 188S and T for further development. The significance of this project was such that it received a code name Störtebeker (a legendary German Pirate) and the designation Ju 388. Three versions with pressurized cabins were planned: Ju 388J high-altitude night/all-weather fighter, Ju 388K high-altitude bomber and Ju 388L high-altitude long-range reconnaissance aircraft; after all, only the Ju 388L saw service with the Luftwaffe. The first prototype Ju 388 V1 reconnaissance version was converted from a Ju 188T-0 at Merseburg, and flown for the first time near the end of 1943. The Ju 388 V2, V4 and V5 were the fighter prototypes, the V2 having twin 0.79 in (20 mm) and 1.18 in (30 mm) forward-firing cannons in a ventral tray, a remotely controlled tail barbette with a twin 0.51 in (13 mm) machine gun, and carrying a FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 radar. The V2 flew for the first time in January 1944 with the V4 and V5 following suit, both lacking the tail barbette and carrying the FuG 218 Neptun radar. Production was ordered but none of the Ju 388J-1 left the assembly line before end of hostilities. The Ju 388 V1 was ordered into production and 10 pre-production Ju 388L-0 were converted from Ju 188S-1 airframes in August 1944, with the first of 35 Junkers built Ju 388L-1 being delivered in October 1944; an additional 10 being built by Weser. The Ju 388L-1 had a FuG 217 Neptun tail-warning radar and a tail barbette, and a wooden ventral pannier containing two cameras and an auxiliary fuel tank. One L-1 was converted to Ju 388L-1/b having a fourth crew member operating an additional 0.51 in (13 mm) machine gun in rear of the cockpit; also two Ju 388L-3 with 1,750 hp Jumo 213E-1 engines were built. Despite the need for defensive fighters, there was still demand for bombers, the V3 bomber prototype flew early in 1944 and by July 1944 10 pre-production Ju 388K-0 were completed at Dessau. Before the war situation halted the production 5 more K-1s with a tail barbette had been built. Ju 388L-1 Jaques Trempe Collection Specifications (Ju 388L-1) Type: Three-seat high-altitude long-range photo-reconnaissance aircraft Engine: Two 1,800 hp BMW 801TJ 14-cylinder air-cooled radials Span: 72 ft 2.25 in (22.0 m) Length: 49 ft 0.5 in (14.95 m) Height: 14 ft 7.25 in (4.45 m) Wing area: 602.8 sq.ft (56.0 sq.m) Max T/O Wt: 32,341 lb (14,670 kg) Max speed: 383 mph (616 km/h) at 40,354 ft (12,300 m) Max climb: 1,328 ft (405 m)/min Ceiling: 44,127 ft (13,450 m) Range: 2,175 mls (3,500 km) Models Ju 388 V1: prototype three-seat high-altitude long-range photo-reconnaissance aircraft Ju 388 V2: prototype four-seat high-altitude night/all-weather fighter, with tail barbette Ju 388 V3: prototype four-seat high-altitude bomber Ju 388 V4: as V2, no tail barbette, with pointed wooden nose cone and different radar and armament Ju 388 V5: as V4, again different radar and armament Ju 388J-1: production high-altitude night/all-weather fighter, not completed Ju 388K-0: pre-production high-altitude bomber Ju 388K-1: as K-0, with tail barbette Ju 388L-0: pre-production high-altitude long-range photo-reconnaissance aircraft Ju 388L-1: as K-0, with tail barbette Ju 388L-1/b: as L-1, fourth crew member and additional armament Ju 388L-3: as L-1, re-engined