Kit No: 03988
Scale: 1/32 Type: Injection
Moulded Plastic Revell
Manufacturer: www.revell.de
The Ju 388 was very nearly a 'what if' aircraft, the pinnacle of the basic Ju 88 airframe development programme. Initially borne out of the fear of B-29s joining the USAF's assault on Germany, it was originally designed to be used in the High-Altitude Fighter role but this was subsequently changed to Reconnaissance for the L variant and Heavy Night Fighter for the J variant.
The Ju 388 was one of five aircraft types (others being the Arado 234, Ta 154, Do 335, and Me 262) earmarked for continued production in order to enable the continuance of the Luftwaffe's efforts into 1946, and many hundreds of both L and J variants had been ordered by August 1944. However, due to manufacturer infighting, political lobbying, official indifference, ignorance, and Germany's change of circumstances, by March 1945 not a single Ju 388 of either variant was left on the order books although approximately eighty Ls and just two Js had been produced. Some were trialled at the Luftwaffe's' EKdo but never reached the altitude and performance promised, largely due to engine and pressure cabin issues. 20/20 hindsight shows it was to RAF Bomber Command's advantage as the airframes and/or components would probably have gone into producing new Ju 88-G6 and G7 night fighters or Ju 188s. Germany's situation was summed up pretty well in a letter from a German airman to his mother when he said that the Luftwaffe had total air superiority up to a height of two metres as he watched P-51's destroy his airfield. So far I have been unable to locate any record of operational use of either the L or J variant.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2022-Ausgabe von Scale Aircraft Modelling.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2022-Ausgabe von Scale Aircraft Modelling.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Mustard
BAC's Low Speed Research Vehicle
KOVOZAVODY PROSTEJOV (KP) 1 Was Monty's Triple'
Brian Derbyshire
SPECIAL HOBBY SAAB J-21A Review
From the late 1930s and early 1940s, with thewar in Europe raging around them andedging ever closer to its borders, the Flygvapnet had ordered Seversky P-35A aircraft, alongside Vultee Vanguards, but only sixty of the former and none of the latter were received.
VFR MODELS Beagle B.121 Pup
This is the first 3D printed kit I have come across and it is really rather fine.
Hearts in the sky RIAT RETURNS
After a nearly three-year hiatus RIAT returned to our skies with a hot show in every sense of the word. SAM’s Mike Verier and Ray Ball were there.
Colour Conundrum
A Cancellation Conundrum - The RAF F-111s That Might Have Been Part 1
COPPER CAUDRON Caudron G.Ill in 1/32
Copper State Models have carved a name for themselves in the last few years producing high quality plastic kits of World War One subjects.
Academy RF-8A Crusader Conversion in 1/72
USMC squadron VMCJ-2 used six RF-8As during the Crisis (designation F8U-1P until September 1962), with others held in reserve, two flying out of Guantanamo Bay, and four out of NAS Key West.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Modelling US reconnaissance assets in 1/72 Part 2: The Nuclear Confrontation
UKRAINIAT striker
The Sukhoi Su-24 is an all-weather attack aircraft capable of supersonic speeds and characterised by its side-by-side pilot/navigator seating and its variable geometry wing.