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Junkers Ju 488



Type: Heavy Bomber
Origin: Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke AG
Models: V401-406
First Flight: None
Service Delivery: None
Final Delivery: None

Powerplant:
Ju 488 V401-402:
  Model: BMW 801TJ
  Type: Radials
  Number: Four      Horsepower: 1,890 hp

Ju 488 V403-406:
  Model: Jumo 222A-3/B-3
  Type: Multi-banked liquid cooled
  Number: Four      Horsepower: 2,500 hp
  Dimensions:
Wing span: 31.27m (102 ft. 7¾ in.)
Length: 22.23m (76 ft. 3 in.)
Height: 6.10m (20 ft. 0 in.)
Wing Surface Area: N/A

Weights:
Empty: 21,000kg (46,297 lb.)
Maximum: 36,000kg (79,366 lb.)

Performance:
Maximum Speed: 690km/h (429mph)
Initial climb: N/A
Range (fully loaded): 2,113 miles (3400km)
Service Ceiling: N/A

Armament: N/A

Comments:
The Ju 488 could be described as a mad man's jigsaw puzzle. Comprised of pieces from the Ju 88, Ju 188, Ju 288 & Ju 388, the 488 was an impressive four-engined bomber. The first two prototypes were destroyed by Maquis in July 1944. The program was dropped in November 1944.

Sources:
Gunston, Bill - The Encyclodepia of the Worlds Combat aircraft, 1976, Chartwell Books, Inc., New York
Brown, Eric, Captain - Wings Of The Luftwaffe, 1979, Airlife Publishing Ltd., Shrewsbury
Gunston, Bill & Wood, Tony - Hitler's Luftwaffe, 1977, Salamander Books Ltd., London
The Complete Encyclodepia of World Aircraft, 1997, Barnes & Nobles Books, ISBN: 0 7607 0592 5