No Freeman Photo

The Junkers Ju 388

The Junkers Ju 388 was an advancement of the Junkers Ju 188, which was based again on the well-known Ju 88. There was three versions, J (elevator eight-hunter), K (elevator bomber) and L (elevator reconnaissance aircraft). The first attempt machine, the Ju 388 L-0 V 7 with the factory serial number 300,001 and the characteristic PG+YA, developed logically also using of major components of the Ju 188 and flew for the first time in December 1943, before the prototypes became finished V 1 to V 6 (for each 2x J-1, K-1 and L-1) in the course of the yearly 1944. Bearing areas and horizontal tail unit were taken over with all versions completely of the Ju 188, the chassis came from the Ju 88. In contrast to the Ju 188 the Ju 388 possessed a pressurized cabin for three men crew and was conceived as hoehenflugzeug. In order to improve and so the speed increase the aerodynamics, the b-conditions and the couch tub at the cockpit were omitted; but remote controlled tail conditions (FHL 131 Z) were inserted. While the wings were defrosted as with the Ju 188 by warm air by the engines, additionally the snow and ice removal of the horizontal stabilizers took place via a gasoline-claimant Kaercher furnace.

This side is mainly the Ju dedicated to 388 L, because in the depot national of the air & space museum survived a copy of this series. 560,049, a Ju 388 L-1 the factory serial number, which were found by the Americans with end of war in the work Merseburg,

 concerns. It originates from production from Weser flight in Liegnitz/Schlesien. Parts of the trunk were manufactured with ATG. More to it here ...
On an aircraft carrier, the HMS Reaper , was brought it with other high-quality German booty airplanes in the framework to the operation Sea Horse to detailed tests into the USA. These took place in WRIGHT Field, Ohio. The machine carried the identification Fe-4010 (late T2-4010). It was shown also on a war booty kriegsbeuteschau. 1947 came the machine to conclusion of the tests into the NASM, where she lies because of lack of space divided in the depot. Contrary to other booty machines the cockpit of the Ju is 388 L here nearly in the original state. And in such a way it looks today: