USAF-Museum: Junkers Ju 88D

USAF-Museum: Junkers Ju 88D

The German Ju 88 was one of the most versatile airplanes of WW II. It was used in practically every kind of combat role, including dive bomber, level bomber, night fighter, day interceptor, photo reconnaissance, tank destroyer, and even as a "pilotless missile." Although the Ju 88 made its first flight on December 21, 1936, hundreds were still in use when the war ended in 1945. The airplane on display is a Ju 88D, a long-range photo reconnaissance version. It is the famous "Baksheesh," the best known Ju 88 of all the 15,000 built. On July 22, 1943, it was flown to Cyprus by a defecting Rumanian Air Force pilot who had become disillusioned with his German Luftwaffe superior officers. It was then flown by U.S. pilots across the South Atlantic Ocean to Wright Field where it was tested extensively. In 1946 the airplane was placed in storage in Arizona; it was shipped to the U.S. Air Force Museum in January 1960.