Ju 88 A family

[Maciej N]

After discussion at forums. I've prepared third version of hypothetical view of Ju 88 A-4 of 6./KG 30. Aircraft was built at 1942 year - so the most probably it had standard RLM 70 / RLM 71 camouflage.
I've decided to pattern this one with wellmunster RLM 76 waves and RLM 22 waves under engine's cowlings. Bottom of aircraft is black.

Balkenkreuz and code nb are in my reconstruction repainted by any color.
I've left code nb black and spinners at RLM 70 - we have no info about it.

[Maciej N]

Final effect

[Clint Mitchell]

Maciej, I can't help thinking that if the upper surface had the wavy pattern, the intelligence officer would have noted it as being wavy like he did with the "wavy lines of black" on the yellow engine cowlings. Instead he observed it as being "light blue-grey mottled". Reading between the lines I think the uppersurface would have been a more mottled style of effect rather than the wave 'wellenmuster'.

[Maciej N]

Maciej, I can't help thinking that if the upper surface had the wavy pattern, the intelligence officer would have noted it as being wavy like he did with the "wavy lines of black" on the yellow engine cowlings. Instead he observed it as being "light blue-grey mottled". Reading between the lines I think the uppersurface would have been a more mottled style of effect rather than the wave 'wellenmuster'.

Yep I"m sure You have right. But we found that aircraft was made at 1942 and what the most probably it had standard primary pattern RLM 70/71. So thats why I've "inverted" scheme. Hope there will be response and maybe someone will find photos. All the rest is clean speculation and one that I can say is only reconstruction.

Notice that this project research has different way than normal. We've started from description of destroyed aircraft, after that we have found that it was produced early 1942 and just after that with no 100% evidence - we decided for such scheme.

[Clint Mitchell]

I've been closely following the progress over on LEMB and it was I that suggested that the early date of manufacture would point to the possibility of it still having it's standard RLM70/71 splinter. Having dealt with a great number of these British crash reports the language of which takes some getting used to. These guys would be well aware of the differences between a mottle and the wave camouflage at this point during the war. I think if it had the wave pattern on the uppersurface they would have mentioned it and not a mottle. As you say educated speculation at best.

There is another profile of a KG30 4D+FP on the net. Whose location is said to be Banak. This leads me to believe that a photo of this very aircraft might exist but taken earlier in the war. Prior to it recieving it's light blue grey mottle applied over the original 70/71.

[Maciej N]

I've been closely following the progress over on LEMB and it was I that suggested that the early date of manufacture would point to the possibility of it still having it's standard RLM70/71 splinter. Having dealt with a great number of these British crash reports the language of which takes some getting used to. These guys would be well aware of the differences between a mottle and the wave camouflage at this point during the war. I think if it had the wave pattern on the uppersurface they would have mentioned it and not a mottle. As you say educated speculation at best.

There is another profile of a KG30 4D+FP on the net. Whose location is said to be Banak. This leads me to believe that a photo of this very aircraft might exist but taken earlier in the war. Prior to it recieving it's light blue grey mottle applied over the original 70/71.

Could You send me link to this aircraft?

So with that 4D+FP thread is still open Thanks a lot Clint

[Clint Mitchell]

Your welcome Maciej.

Junker Ju 88 A-4 (4D+FP) in Profiles (2D & 3D) Forum
Captioned as being: Junkers Ju88A-4 (4D+FP) from 6./KG30, Banak 1942

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/soh_ftp/...0274321024.jpg

As you can see the above examples are not the best examples to use as a basis and I certainly do not recommend it but the fact that they exist points to the possibility that in some book there exists a photo of this aircraft whilst II./KG30 were based at Banak in Norway from 15 April 1942 - 19 August 1942.

Now I know aircraft moved around units but theres no reason why this aircraft couldn't be the same one.

The profile is also shown on page 9 of this Norwegian Language .pdf on Luftwaffe Operations over Norway during WW2: http://www.luftwaffe.no/SIG%205.pdf

[Skyraider3D]

Great work! Those last schemes are very cool.

[GiantFlyingRobots]

As always Luftwaffe fascinate and scare me in equal parts.

Either way in never ceases to amaze the wealth of information there is about the subject.

[Clint Mitchell]

Michael Ullmann has discovered some original documents that mention a blue maritime paint or scheme, can't remember which . He has given a talk at an IMPS ?? meeting on the matter and the Luftwaffe fraternity are eagerly awaiting his published thoughts on the matter. Whether it be in a forthcoming book or magazine article I don't know but I want it now, so hurry up Mr Ullmann in the nicest possible way.

Nice work Maciej.

Here it is incase you guys are interested.:

Hola Folks,

Last year in September I visit the IPMS Sweden Nationals. Then they asked me to give a presentation about RLM colours. I asked them I they want to hear something about my latest discoveries. Since then I was asked several times to give more information regarding RLM83. Here we go:

Test order E2-45/31: (Development and verification of camouflage for the Mediterranean Sea)
Report August 1943: Alongside RLM73 a 'darkblue' colour will be used. Flighttest in the near future.
Report September 1943: Using the camouflage pattern 'Land' and 'Sea' with RLM73 and the darkblue colour 300/III suggested for introduction.
Report November 1943: Closed with report dated 10th November 1943. Colour RLM83 'DARKBLUE' with RLM72 for Sea - and RLM70 for land aircraft suggested for introduction.
Sammelmitteilung 2, dated 15th August 1944: …on the dark shades RLM72, RLM73, RLM75, RLM81, RLM82, RLM83 …. (no colour was stated).

These original documentation of the introduction of the new colour leads to the conclusion that we have to expect a lot of 'darkblue' Luftwaffe aircraft in the Mediterranean theatre. Much more important for all those fighter-fans: This 'darkgreen', formerly known as RLM83, is nothing more, nothing less than a darkgreen variation of RLM81.

Photos of my finished Ju88 http://www.scalemates.com/whatsnew.php

Best Regards from Germany
Michael Ullmann