Ju 88 A-13

[wiking85]

Does anyone have any information about the Ju88 A-13? Apparently it had a bunch of gun pods totaling up to 24 MGs. How many were there, were they effective, and how were they used? I've read that they were only used in the East against Soviet troop concentration from late 1942 on.

 

[fubar57]

No mention of all the MGs here, translated from a Polish book (my apologies if there's an error Wojtek. It was done with Google Translate, word by word )...

"Version ju-88a-13 was built to assist with carrying out attacks in support of assault infantry branches. Starting from January 1942 years was reconstructed several serial Ju-88A-4. Aircraft Ju-88A-13 received additional armor cab, fuel tanks and lower surfaces of the engine nacelles. Dismantled airbrakes. Bombings on external hooks can be suspended AB250, AB500 and AB1000 (number represents mass-borne bombs inside), lower case filled with antipersonnel bombs SD2 type of mass 2kg. each. In the bomb bay can be transported classic incendiary bombs destroying and debris. On the hooks were attached also ETC250 trays (ie. Waffenbehalter) with machine guns, used for the destruction of terrestrial purposes. Used two types of trays: WB-81A -with three machine guns zdwojonymi MG81Z, or WB 81B with the same weapons, but the weapon barrel inclined at an angle of 15 ° .Ju-88A-13 were used in small quantities on the Eastern Front in the years 1942-1944 ." I'll keep looking.

Geo

 

[eagledad]

Hello Wiking 85

Don't have much info on the Ju 88A-13 either, but will gladly share what I have.

The A-13 was an A-4 conversion. My sources claim it was armed with 10 to 16 7.9 mm MG 17's in pods hung from ETC racks under the wings. Protection was provided by 4 MG 81's. Max bomb load was 1100 pounds. The load consisted of small fragmentation bombs, although no bomb sight was carried. Additional armor was provided to protect crew, engines and fuel tanks. Power was supplied by 2x1200 Jumo 211H motors. Loaded weight was 28,600 pounds, ceiling 23,620 feet, and max speed was 261, altitude not stated. Wing span was listed at 65' 10.5" and length given as 47' 1.5".

As for number built/converted, when used, and by which units, I have no information on that.

Eagledad

Sources: Warplanes of the Third Reich
Combat Aircraft of WW2
The Junkers Ju 88A, profile # 29

 

[wiking85]

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[fubar57]

From the Crowood Press book..."One specialist variant (Ju-88A-13) was envisaged as a heavy ground-attack aircraft, twin pods hung under the ETC500 carriers were each equipped with six MG17 machine guns"...Back if I find more.

Geo

 

[Shortround6]

The 6 gun pods were used on some JU-87s.

I would imagine it was not a difficult thing to hang them under a JU-88 assuming they cleared the prop disk.

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Link works but Russian alphabet confusing things?

 

[fubar57]

From the Kagero #13, "...15 or so were built from some A-4s converted in 1942..."

Geo

 

[wiking85]

How does it stack up against the B-25 strafer?

 

[ScreamingLighting]

It may just be me, but the B-25 seems like a more natural plane for the role. The A-13 seems cumbersome with all those extra guns. This was the only picture I was able to find, (and it may not even be an A-13)

 

[GrauGeist]

It may just be me, but the B-25 seems like a more natural plane for the role. The A-13 seems cumbersome with all those extra guns. This was the only picture I was able to find, (and it may not even be an A-13)
View attachment 290397

It's a Ju87. (Note the MG port in the wing and the Jerico trumpet's prop there to the far left)

 

[vikingBerserker]

According to Ju 88 Volume One From Schnellbomber to Multi-Mission Warplane by William Medcalf the A-13 carried 4 of the 6 x gun pods (page 130).

On page 319 is gives the following information:
2 Jumo 211J at 1,410 hp
Loaded Weight 13,000 kg
Bomb load 500
Armament 16x MG 17, 3 MG81, MG81Z (which does not agree with the first point above)

I'm still looking for any operational info. The books are great but they lack a really good index.

 

[Koopernic]

The MG81Z was in fact two MG81, the Z stood for twin or Zwilling. The guns were 'bolted together' but were mirrors of each other in that the ammunition fed from different sides. The cadence of each gun was 1700rpm, so a pair could but out 3400rpm. Three pairs 10200rpm. Two pods 20400rpm. About 340 rounds/second.

 

[Just Schmidt]

'Ju 88A-13 was a close-support Ju 88A4 With extra armour, 16 forward firing guns and fragmentation bombs.'

David Donald (ed): Warplanes of the Luftwaffe, Aerospace Publishing Ltd 1994

 

[Denniss]

There's no information available supporting any production or official (factory) conversion. The "A-13" may have been a unit conversion which may have been given the new designation later on.
Or they were booked as Ju 88C or 88P variant.