The Junkers Ju 88 Part 2: Ju 88C to Ju 88T
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
The Junkers Ju 88 Part 2: Ju 88C to Ju 88T
Airframe & Miniature 24
Author: Richard A. Franks
Publisher: Valiant Wings Publications
ISBN: 978-1-912932-31-3
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 256
The second part to Valiant Publications’ treatise on the venerable Junkers Ju 88 is out and covers the Ju 88C through to the JU 88T. While the Ju 88A was the classic bomber variant that saw a huge number of sub-variants while remaining a bomber, the following variants pushed the envelope of the Ju 88 into as many different categories as possible. Junkers added heavy destroyer, reconnaissance, and night fighter to the Ju 88 family as they modified and improved upon the basic design, with the ultimate variant, the Ju 88T, being a streamlined high-speed reconnaissance type.
Like other titles in this series, the first part of the book focuses on the variant histories as well as the camouflage and markings worn by the various Ju 88C through T aircraft. As these were the variants that evolved as the war progressed, this camouflage and marking section serves as an excellent highlight to the evolution of camouflage, both from a mission standpoint and shifting priorities in both manufacturing and usage.
After the history comes the model section, and with the Ju 88 being such an iconic aircraft of the Second World War, it’s no surprise that there’s a ton of kit options out there. The overview chapter provides a rundown of some of the most popular kits in different scales, highlighting the positives and negatives of each. After this comes a handful of build articles of various 1/72 and 1/48 kits. Libor Jekl builds a Hasegawa Ju 88G-6, Richard Franks does a quick build of the Hobby Boss 1/72 Ju 88C, and Steve Evans tackles the ICM 1/48 Ju 88C-6.
Chapter 7 is probably the most useful, as this is the “Building A Collection” chapter. This is where all the differences between each variant are clearly delineated. In addition to the main production variants, this section also documents prototypes and other one-off examples, with a three-quarter view providing visual reference to the changes between the types. Combined with the scale drawings at the back of the book, this is the best outline of these later Ju 88 marks out there.
For those interested in later Ju 88s, this is a must-have title to pick up. Combined with the first part, Valiant Publications have put together an impressive complete reference package on this famous Junkers twin. My thanks to Valiant for the review copy.