Junkers Ju 288

Junkers · Germany · first flew 1940 · bomber

The Junkers Ju 288 was a German twin-engine medium bomber prototype developed to replace the Ju 88, featuring a pressurised crew cabin and intended to use the advanced Jumo 222 24-cylinder engine. Despite 22 development aircraft and years of testing, chronic engine unreliability and shifting priorities led to programme cancellation in 1944.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	18.15 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

German WWII twin-engine bomber prototype with pressurised cockpit
Jumo 222 engines proved chronically unreliable; programme cancelled 1944
22 development aircraft; no production

A clean twin-engine low-wing monoplane with a distinctive rounded nose housing the pressurised cockpit, large engine nacelles, and an elegant tapered wing. The smooth fuselage lines and lack of a glazed bombardier nose distinguish it from the Ju 88 it was meant to replace.

Specifications

The Junkers Ju 288 has a length of 18.15 m (60 ft).
It has a wingspan of 22.66 m (74 ft).
Its maximum speed is 655 km/h (407 mph).
Typical crew: 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Selected in 1939 as part of the Bomber B competition intended to produce a new generation of fast German bombers, the Ju 288 suffered throughout its development from the persistent failure of the Jumo 222 engine to reach reliable service status. Alternative engine installations were tried but none matched the original performance estimates. By the time the programme was cancelled, the air war had shifted to defence and the need for a new medium bomber had passed.

Variants

Ju 288A, B, and C sub-variants were developed with different engines and armament, but none entered production.

Where you'll see it

Never entered operational service; 22 development aircraft only.

Related aircraft

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