Ju 88 A-4 (Sweden)

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This page is about the bomber Ju 88 A-4 (Sweden). For other versions, see Ju 88 (Family).
▄Ju 88 A-4
ju-88a-4_finland.png
GarageImage Ju 88 A-4 (Sweden).jpg
▄Ju 88 A-4
AB RB SB
3.0 3.0 2.7
Research:9 200 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:16 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The ▄Ju 88 A-4 was a multirole combat aircraft with a twin engine configuration, this specific variant was placed under Finnish service in 1943. The A-4 variant was a very much needed improvement, longer wingspan, redesigned wingtips, stronger defensive armament, a more powerful engine, external bomb racks and reinforced undercarriage. Finland bought 24 Ju 88s during April 1943 and they were assigned to the No.44 squadron that was already experienced in twin engine bombers. The aircraft wasn't liked by the crews however, due to its complexity, crews stayed on the ground during most of 1943 in training, doing just a handful of raids and bombing missions into enemy territory.

It was introduced in Update "Fire and Ice". The ▄Ju 88 A-4 is just like its German counterpart, being very capable at dive bombing and horizontal bombing, it has a good speed for a bomber as well as air breaks to loose that speed quickly. It is a formidable bomber that its even capable of destroying bases in air matches, with a total payload of 2,400 kg, the defensive armament is also very decent and you can destroy some aircraft that try to intercept you. However it has some downsides, for example, while the defensive armament is good, it has a blind spot below the fuselage, since it does not have ventral gunners aiming down, the offensive armament is also extremely bad, with a single light machine gun facing forward.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Max speed
at 5 600 m455 km/h
Turn time30 s
Max altitude9 800 m
Engine2 х Junkers Jumo 211J
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight14 t
Characteristics Max speed
(km/h at 5,600 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 432 416 9800 31.4 32.7 4.2 4.2 530
Upgraded 479 455 28.7 30.0 10.2 6.8

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
675 310 457 428 280 ~8 ~8
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 350 < 360 < 370 > 330

Survivability and armour

Crew4 people
Speed of destruction
Structural675 km/h
Gear310 km/h
  • 58 mm and 60 mm Bulletproof glass around the dorsal turret
  • 12 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
  • 12 mm Steel plates around the ventral turret
  • 20 mm Steel plate behind the cockpit

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB690 → 870 Sl icon.png
RB1 106 → 1 394 Sl icon.png
SB1 765 → 2 225 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications8 440 Rp icon.png
9 530 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost640 Ge icon.png
Crew training4 500 Sl icon.png
Experts16 000 Sl icon.png
Aces180 Ge icon.png
Research Aces190 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
40 / 90 / 180 % Sl icon.png
118 / 118 / 118 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
340 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
340 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
380 Rp icon.png
Cost:
430 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
380 Rp icon.png
Cost:
430 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
mg_turret_belt_pack
Research:
340 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
SC 50
Research:
340 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods napalm fire bomb.png
Flamm C 250
Research:
340 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
mg81_turret_new_gun
Research:
380 Rp icon.png
Cost:
430 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
SC 250
Research:
380 Rp icon.png
Cost:
430 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods napalm fire bomb.png
Flamm C 500
Research:
380 Rp icon.png
Cost:
430 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
mg_belt_pack
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
SC 500
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
mg81_new_gun
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
SC 1000
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main article: MG 81 (7.92 mm)

The Ju 88 A-4 (Sweden) is armed with:

  • 1 x 7.92 mm MG 81 machine gun, nose-mounted (750 rpg)

Suspended armament

The Ju 88 A-4 (Sweden) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 10 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (500 kg total)
  • 28 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (1,400 kg total)
  • 4 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs (1,000 kg total)
  • 4 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs + 10 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (1,500 kg total)
  • 4 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs + 28 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (2,400 kg total)
  • 2 x 500 kg SC500K bombs (1,000 kg total)
  • 2 x 500 kg SC500K bombs + 10 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (1,500 kg total)
  • 2 x 500 kg SC500K bombs + 28 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (2,400 kg total)
  • 1 x 500 kg SC500K bomb + 1 x 1,000 kg SC1000L2 bomb (1,500 kg total)
  • 4 x Flam C 250 incendiary bombs
  • 2 x Flam C 500 incendiary bombs

The Ju 88 A-4 can destroy 3 bases in Air Realistic without rearming .

Defensive armament

Main article: MG 81 (7.92 mm)

The Ju 88 A-4 (Sweden) is defended by:

  • 2 x 7.92 mm MG 81 machine guns, dorsal turret (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)
  • 2 x 7.92 mm MG 81 machine guns, ventral turret (900 rpg = 1,800 total)

Usage in battles

The Finnish Ju 88 A-4 works just like its German counterpart, being able to both dive bomb and do horizontal bombing. The bomber has decent defensive armament and has a single offensive 7.92 mm MG 81 machine gun, which unfortunately won't really come in handy. You are able to carry up to 2,400 kg of bombs with this plane, making it a formidable bomber.

Air Battles:

In Air battles, you should either bring the 2 x 500 kg + 28 x 50 kg payload or the 4 x 250 kg + 28 x 50 kg payload as they fully use the Ju 88 A-4's potential and will do a great job at damaging enemy bases, airfields and even ground targets. As soon as you spawn in, start climbing to make sure you are safe from enemy fighters. The greatest threats to you will be the German Bf 109s with their astonishing climb rate, so remember to always check your surroundings.

Ground Battles:

In Ground battles you should ignore the 50 kg bombs as they won't do much against tanks and will only add weight to your plane, instead, bring 250 kg bombs, 500 kg bombs or the 1,000 kg bomb, these payloads won't use the Ju 88 A-4's full bomb capacity but they will make it more manoeuvrable and faster. Additionally, it is easier to hit ground targets with dive bombing tactics, so when you approach your target, extend the airbrakes ("H" by default) and reduce throttle if necessary to avoid too much speed which could result in your wings being ripped off.

Facing the Ju 88 A-4:

If you come across a Junkers 88 A-4, you will either be facing its cockpit or its tail most of the time. Attacking the bomber from below is also an option as it does not have any ventral gunners aiming down. If you are facing its cockpit, aim for the pilot as this will cause the plane to instantly be destroyed. If you are facing its tail, however, be careful with the gunners and aim for the engines, bombers won't go far without them. Since the Ju 88 A-4 gets a bomber spawn, it is recommended to use planes with good climb rates, such as the aforementioned Bf 109s.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent payload options
  • Capable of dive bombing
  • The 28 x 50 kg bombs are effective against light vehicle columns
  • Fast-firing defensive armament
  • Fast for a bomber aircraft

Cons:

  • Limited offensive armament
  • No ventral gunners aiming down, making it vulnerable to attacks from below

History

A Finnish Junkers Ju 88A-4/R. Served with LeLv.44 and PLeLv.43 until being put into storage on 17 October 1945.

Finland acquired 24 Ju 88s during April 1943, at this time, the Continuation War was raging and Finland needed a new bomber to aid in the frontline and conduct operations deep in enemy territory. The bombers were assigned to the No.44 squadron that was experienced in twin engine bombers, since it had previously operated the Bristol Blenheim.

The pilots and rest of the crew stayed on the ground during most of the year, training and dealing with the complexity of the aircraft, which gained it a bad reputation between ground crews. Since this was the case, just a handful of missions were conducted in the form of raids and bombing runs. Some of this missions had mediocre results, with seven Ju 88s damaged in a raid on the Lavansaari air field. The aircraft was being used in dive bombing, which damaged the wings, and thus restrictions were placed, to avoid accidents, crews were only allowed to dive at a 45-degree angle, and they removed the air breaks to ensure this procedure was followed.

In 1944 the squadron was much more active, with a bombing raid on 9 March 1944 against Soviet Long Range Aviation bases near Leningrad, in this operation several Finnish aircraft, followed Soviet bombers to their bases, catching the Soviets unprepared and destroying many bombers and their fuel reserves. The most tense moment happened during Soviets fourth strategic offensive, in this situation the entire regiment was placed at high alert at all times and the aircraft provided air cover and damaged the logistics of the Soviet Union, flying several sorties every day.

The Ju 88s actually participated in the Lapland War against Germany, the now experienced crews targeted mostly vehicle columns that were retreating to Norway. Other units flew reconnaissance missions with photographic equipment, some of those missions required the pilots to fly into German air space in occupied Norway, were they gathered very important data on the German retreating progress.

After the wars, Finland was prohibited from using bomber aircraft with internal bomb stores. Consequently, the Finnish Ju 88s were used for training until 1948. After that they were scrapped during many years, no aircraft survived unfortunately, but some parts are on display at the Central Finland Aviation Museum and at the Finnish Aviation Museum in Vantaa.

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links


Junkers Aircraft and Motor Works (Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke Aktiengesellschaft)
Fighters  Ju 88 C-6 · Ju 388 J
Strike Aircraft 
Ju 87  Ju 87 G-1 · Ju 87 G-2
Bombers  Ju 88 A-1 · Ju 88 A-4 · Ju 188 A-2 · Ju 288 C
Ju 87  Ju 87 B-2 · Ju 87 D-3 · Ju 87 D-5 · Ju 87 R-2 · Ju 87 R-2 Libya
Export  ▄Ju 87 D-3 · ▄Ju 87 R-2 · ▄Ju 88 A-4

Sweden bombers
B3  B3C
B17  B17A · B17B · S17BS
B18  B18A · B18B · T18B · T18B (57)
T 2  T 2
Finland  ▄Ar 196 A-5 · ▄Ju 88 A-4