Junkers Ju 88

Designed as a fast bomber that could outrun the fighters of the era, the twin-engine Junkers Ju 88 became one of the most versatile aircraft of the Second World War. Such was the success of the design that its production lines operated constantly from 1936 to 1945, with more than 16,000 examples being built in dozens of variants - more than any other twin-engine German aircraft of the period.

From an early stage it was intended that it would be used as a conventional light bomber and as a dive-bomber. As such, it served in the invasion of Poland, the Norway campaign, the Blitzkrieg and the invasion of France and the Battle of Britain. This latest volume in Frontline's Air War Archive examines the Ju 88s use in the latter years of the Second World War. The type's use as a torpedo bomber or reconnaissance aircraft, as well as its deployment in Russia, over the Bay of Biscay and in the Mediterranean theater are all explored. Even its use in the Mistel flying-bomb is covered.

In this selection of unrivaled images collected over many years, the operations of this famous aircraft in its twilight years are portrayed and brought to life.

Conceput ca un bombardier rapid care ar putea depasi luptatorii epocii, bimotorul Junkers Ju 88 a devenit unul dintre cele mai versatile avioane din cel de-al doilea razboi mondial. Asa a fost succesul designului, incat liniile sale de productie au functionat in mod constant din 1936 pana in 1945, cu peste 16.000 de exemplare fiind construite in zeci de variante - mai mult decat orice alt avion german bimotor al perioadei. ca ar fi folosit ca bombardier usor conventional si ca bombardier cu scufundari.