Ju88 A1 - KG30 insignia and codes needed if anyone can help please.

[Radpoe Spitfire]

Currently working on a Revellers 1/32 Ju88 A1- but I want to build it as a Norway based Battle of Britain aircraft operating on 15 August 1940.

In particular I am after an aircraft involved in the actions off Flamborough Head when 616 sqn claimed several aircraft.

I need the colour of the diving Eagle badge and individual code letters please - I understand that the unit 616 engaged was 7/III KG30 based at Aalborg.

Any help or pointers very much appreciated.

Regards Adtian

[Silver Fox]

JU88A-5 4D+DR of 7/KG30 shot down whilst attacking RAF Driffield on 15 August had a yellow background to the badge and the individual code letter in white according to the On Target Battle of Britain special. There is a picture of it in Fallen Eagles by Bill Norman, showing the number 48 on a light coloured paint possibly white judging by the white outline to the swastika on the fin. This book says it was a C-2

I know this information does not relate to your A-1 but I hope it helps.

Aalborg is in Denmark by the way.

[Graham Boak]

According to the now rather elderly "Battle Over Britain", by Francis K Mason, all the III/KG30 aircraft lost were the C variant, and all other KG30 aircraft lost were A-5s or Cs. The C variant 4D+DR is simply credited to "fighters" and the only specific credit to 616 Sq was an A-5 of 4/KG30, AD+?R, shot down near Hunmanby at 13.25. However, the much more recent work by William A Medcalf "Ju88 Vol2 The Bomber at War" states that the A-5 did not start coming off the production line until September, so A-1 seems much more likely.

[Radpoe Spitfire]

Thanks guys for your fast replies, the limited info I have states Aalborg as being the Base- I'd heard of the Aalborg in Denmark due to being where the RDAF operated F51 Hunters- so I wasn't sure if it was wrong or if KG30 operated from there as well as bases in Norway.

As for the Ju88 -it is only representative of type. I know of the photo of the the Hunmanby Ju88 which shows the rear cockpit would have had twin gun cupolas as opposed to the single of the A1.

Still much to research but thank you for your help so far👍

Regards Adrian

[Graham Boak]

Three of these aircraft crashed on return to the continent: a C of 7/KG30 at Aalborg-West, another force-landed in Holland, and an A of II/KG30 at Oldenburg.

Mason states that the unit was based at Aalborg, Denmark, until after 15th August, re-deploying to Gilze-Rijen and Eindhoven in Holland.

Edited May 21, 2016 by Graham Boak

[brewerjerry]

Hi

If you ever get the chance, go thro' the Ai2(g) files at the NA Kew, it covers the investigation of crashed german a/c,

most give an insite into camo used on the a/c

naturally no file if it is a sea site, but a similar land site may give clues as to camo used.

think the NA references were Air 2 or 40

cheers

jerry

[Graham Boak]

There may be more information in After The Battle on the Battle of Britain. This went through at least five editions so it should be fairly easy to find one. However, I suspect that if the information isn't in Bill Norman's books it isn't available.

[Silver Fox]

For the record Bill Norman in Fallen Eagles gives the following losses during the Battle of Bridlington Bay:

Ju88C 4D+DR 7/KG30 crashed near Bridlington Reservoir on the Bridlington-Scarborough Road believe shot down by Sgt Hopwell 616 Squadron

Ju88A-5 4D+KL 3/KG30 crashed near Fraisthorpe south of Bridlington believe shot down by Sgt McNey 73 Squadron

Ju88A 4D+?M 4/KG30 crashed near Barmston south of Bridlington, believed shot down by P/O Scott 73 Squadron.

Ju88C 4D+?M 7/KG30 believe to have crashed into the sea, possibly the victim of Sgt Westmoreland 616 Squadron

Ju88 4D+?S 8/KG30 fate unknown but missing according to Luftwaffe records.

These are the only losses that are recorded in detail in Fallen Eagles though mention is made of another 7 aircraft either lost or crashed landing at Luftwaffe bases.

Where the sub type is omitted is as in the original book. I also know that the author of the On Target Battle of Britain book, Neil Robinsons' Mastermind topic would be the Battle of Bridlington Bay so I would not dismiss anything he has written. There are photos of DR and KL in the book both taken from the rear and in both cases the rear cockpit canopy is missing so it is not possible to say from them what the rear armament was.

Hope this helps.

[Potato Pete]

Further to Graham's comment, from After the Battle, losses that have details are:

3/KG30, Ju88 A-5 4D+KL, crashed at Hamilton Hill Farm, Barnstown near Bridlington.

7/KG30, Ju88 C 4D+DR, force landed near Hornby

The A-5 loss is the first specific reference to an A-5 that I can see, all other A losses being A-1's or just generic A's. Another A-5 (no details) returned to Oldenburg damaged on the same day. Next specific reference to an A-5 loss is the 9th Sept, then from late Sept with some regularity.

HTH

Pete

[Graham Boak]

An additional confusion has crept in: the one credited to 616 Sq is described as 4D+?R in Mason, which would be right for a 7 Staffel a/c. M is the correct final letter for a 4 Staffel a/c.

[Silver Fox]

Norman states that KL and ?M have been confused in previous works but by the aircrew identification he is correct. What the truth is I have no idea.

[brewerjerry]

Hi

Might be worth posting a question here

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/forumdisplay.php?s=e209d05cc4ee972f40ef94cc1d18f40c&f=8

there are some serious luftwaffe researchers and authors on the board,

a direct question about the aircraft and crew would most likely bring results

cheers

jerry