Warbird Information Exchange

Could anyone tell me the difference between the Ju-88A-4 and the Ju-88A-5?
Thanks

I can, Warbirdfinder,

according to "Aircraft in Profile" No. 29, The Junkers Ju-88A by Profile Publications, 1965:

"The Ju-88A-4 was the most important variant of the series. Entering production in late 1940, it embodied modifications which the shortcomings of the A-1 during the first year of the war had showdn to be essential."

"Illogically, the A-5 variant preceded the A-4 into production by a few months late in 1940. It was basically an A-1 with the increased span and bomb load capacity, but lacked many of the other refinements which were built into the A-4."

Same Jumo engines, @1,200 hp.
The A-5 had the smaller bomb load, 4,410 lb. vs. 5,510 of the A-4
The A-5 was heavier, fully loaded. @ 27,557 lb. to the A-4's 26,700 lb.
Effective ceiling was the same at 27,880 ft.
Speed & range: A-5 280 mph. 1,398 mi.
A-4 293 mph. and a much longer 1,900 mi. range.
The A-4/R had 1,410 hp. engines and could carry 6,600 lb. bomb load.
Armament varied and there were quite a few sub-variants based on these two models.

More if you need it, pardner,

Canso42

Canso 42, thank you for the info. The A-4 and A-5 were just an upgraded A-1?

Kinda,
The A-5 was a bigger-winged A-1 that was cobbled up while the A-4 was still in the design stage, being a recognizeable separate model. About ten more A-dash variants sprung from the A-4 and -5.
Canso42

The A-5 used an earlier variant of the Jumo 211 which did not have an integral oil cooler, and also used the same metal VDM propeller of the A-1. The following are quick reference points when attempting to ID an A-4 in a photo:

- Jumo 211J engines with trunking beneath the nacelle for oil cooler
- Radiator face has a small squarish inlet at the bottom... this is the oil cooler air inlet
- Wide-chord wooden prop blades
- Slightly longer and more rounded spinners
- Counterbalanced rudder

The A-4 was also usually seen with an MG81Z twin gun mount in the back of the gondola, and two MG 15s for defense in the aft part of the canopy; this was an easily replaced item, however, and it was not uncommon to see surviving A-5s with this double gun mount in the canopy into 1941 and 42.

There are doubtless other items, lots of small internal stuff, but from a modeler's perspective, these are the biggies.

Cheers,

Lynn