In January 1936 the German
Air Ministry published specifications for a new fast bomber that
could carry over 1,100 pounds of bombs. The Junkers Flugzeug und
Motorenwerke company responded by producing the Junkers Ju 88. Designed
by W. H. Evers and Alfred Gassner, the aircraft had a maximum speed
of 280 mph (450 km) and had a range of 1,056 miles (1,700 km). It
was 47 ft 1 in (14.36 m) long with a wingspan of 60 ft 3 in (18.38
m). The aircraft was armed with 3 machine-guns and could carry 3,960
lb (1,800 kg) of bombs.
The Junkers Ju 88 made
its first flight on 26th September, 1939, and along with the Heinkel
He111 and Dornier D017, were the main bombers used by the Luftwaffe
during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. Like other major aircraft
used during the Second World War he was constantly being modified.
Production continued throughout the war and a total of 16,000 were
built by 1945.
