#ju 88c2

Junkers Ju 88 C-2 nightfighter R4+BL of 3./NJG 2 flown by Alfons Köster in October 1941

From top to bottom: Ju 88C-2, Ju-88C-4, and Ju 88C-5

Combat aircraft radars were used en masse from World War Two. The Luftwaffe’s FuG 202 Lichtenstein-B/C radar was one of the first such systems to enter service

Although many more Ju88C-1 and C-2 long-range night fighters were produced than Do17Z-7 and Z-10, very few photographs of early Junkers with their original offensive armament have survived.

This is probably because these aircraft were soon modernized. This photograph is interesting because the aircraft was converted from a bomber. The underfuselage “tub” has a characteristic flat front panel instead of glazing for the bombing sight.

The armament of Oberleutnant Kurt Hermann's Ju88C-2 (pictured right), shot down by anti-aircraft fire on the night of March 10, 1941, corresponded to that of the experimental Ju88V-19 (serial number 0373).

However, on production fighters, the second MG151 was installed in a standard under-fuselage “tub.” Nevertheless, only a few night fighters were produced with this configuration.

Ju88C-2 of Oberfeldwebel Alfons Kester from I/NJG2. Gilze-Rijen Air Base, spring 1941.

By the time of his death on the night of January 7, 1945, Alfons Kester, who had risen to the rank of Hauptmann and become a Knight's Cross recipient, had scored between 25 and 32 victories, according to various sources.

Ju88C-2b of Oberleutnant Kurt Hermann from 1/NJG2, shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Great Britain on March 10, 1941. Gilze Rijen Air Base.