Junkers Ju 488
| Company type | Aircraft project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Predecessor | Junkers Ju 188 family |
| Founded | 1943 |
| Products | Heavy strategic bomber (planned) |
| Parent | Junkers |
The Junkers Ju 488 represented a planned German heavy strategic bomber powered by four engines, developed during World War II. This design evolved from the twin-engine Ju 188 family by incorporating additional engines mounted on newly designed inner wing sections. Although one prototype was initiated, it was never brought to completion.
Design and development
Originating in 1943 as an interim long-range heavy bomber until the Focke Wulf Ta 400 became operational, the Ju 488 utilized components from the twin-engine '88 series (Ju 188, Ju 288, and Ju 388), particularly reusing the cockpit assembly. These elements were integrated with newly crafted inner wing panels accommodating two extra engines and an elongated fuselage segment, resulting in a streamlined aircraft with a length of and a wingspan of .
An order for ten prototype units was issued; the initial model, V.401, served as a non-functional airframe shell lacking operational systems, while V.403 was designated as the first fully representative prototype.
Due to capacity constraints, Junkers delegated detailed design work and manufacturing responsibilities to French companies Latécoère, Bréguet Aviation, and SNCASE. The V.401 airframe was constructed by Bréguet in Toulouse.
The structure was based on the Ju 188 framework combined with the Ju 288 tail assembly supplied by regular manufacturers; new components were fabricated in France. The inner wings maintained a parallel-chord shape and incorporated engine mounts and landing gear arrangements akin to those on the Ju 188, creating a four-engine configuration supported by four main landing gear wheels. Additional fuel storage was installed within both the wings and extended fuselage sections.
Initially, propulsion was planned to be provided by four BMW 801TJ or BMW 802 radial engines, each featuring a single-strut main landing gear retracting rearwards and folding flat inside the engine nacelle. Later prototypes such as V.403 explored the use of more powerful liquid-cooled inline engines, specifically the 24-cylinder Jumo 222.
Although V.403 and subsequent variants incorporated multiple minor design modifications, none reached completion. Defensive armament included plans for a twin-gun tail barbette, while a reconnaissance version was proposed with a shallower fuselage compared to the bomber variant.
The unfinished V.401 airframe was destroyed during a French Resistance attack on the night of 16–17 July 1944. The project's termination followed shortly after Toulouse's liberation in August of that year.
Bibliography
- Filly, Brian. (1991) Junkers Ju 88 in Action, part 2. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc.
- Green, William. (1968) War Planes of the Second World War:Volume Ten Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft. London:Macdonald.
- Green, William. (1970) Warplanes of the Third Reich. London: Macdonald and Jane's. Pages 520–522.
- Sharp, Dan. (2016) Luftwaffe: Secret Bombers of the Third Reich, Mortons. Pages 90-93.
- Smith, J.R. and Kay, Anthony. (1972) German Aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam and Company, Ltd. .