No Ju-88

[Wild_Bill_Kelso]

A bomber's speed isn't just about strait outrunning the enemy fighters though. Faster bombers have a higher survival rate in aggregate just because they are over the target for a shorter time, it takes longer to vector to them and intercept, the enemy fighters will have fewer shooting passes and so on. With viable escorts the 217 was probably pretty good, though I suspect it had some other flying traits which weren't ideal. A 320 mph bomber is definitely a bit better off than a 280 mph bomber, all things being equal.

 

[delcyros]

I´d also go with a Ju-288/ Ju-88B hybrid.

Somewhat less sophisticated than Ju-288, i.e. Jumo-211J (initially) instead of JUMO-222, unpressurized cockpit section from Ju-88B, narrow fuselage and small wings from Ju-288, except for getting rid of both remotely controlled barbette guns -more internal space and perhaps more important, lighter. That would make for a ca. 15t MTOW, decent range, 347 mph max (316 mph cruise) bomber, which could carry the bombload internally.

 

[Shortround6]

. A 320 mph bomber is definitely a bit better off than a 280 mph bomber, all things being equal.

Problem is they never are.

The 280mph bomber will often be carrying a bigger payload, fewer planes being shot at for the same tonnage of bombs dropped.
The 280mph bomber should have better defensive guns. It does need them though.
The 280mph bomber will be a bigger target and usually have a bigger crew.
The 280mph bomber will usually have more range, (there are exceptions).

Let's remember the B-25 and the B-26 both started out as 320mph bombers.