Prototype German Heavy Fighter Junkers Ju 88C V1 with Jumo 211B-1 Engines, 1940

August 2, 2025 - Reading time: 7 minutes

Junkers Ju 88C V1 prototype heavy fighter from 1940, equipped with Jumo 211B-1 engines and MG 15 machine guns, a significant aircraft in WWII aviation.

Junkers Ju 88C V1 prototype heavy fighter with Jumo 211B-1 engines and MG 15 machine guns, shown on the airfield in 1940, part of WWII German aviation history.

This photograph shows the prototype German heavy fighter Junkers Ju 88C V1, equipped with Jumo 211B-1 engines and MG 15 machine guns. The aircraft, shown here on the airfield in 1940, is part of the early testing of one of the most versatile and iconic aircraft of World War II.

The Junkers Ju 88 was a multirole aircraft, used not only as a bomber, but also as a dive bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, and even torpedo bomber. The Ju 88 was a key component of the Luftwaffe’s arsenal during World War II, and over 15,000 units were built, making it the most mass-produced German twin-engine aircraft of the war.

The Ju 88C V1 prototype was designed as a heavy fighter, featuring Jumo 211B-1 engines that powered it through a variety of combat scenarios. With MG 15 machine guns mounted on the aircraft, it was well-equipped for air combat. It was also capable of carrying bombs in the internal bomb bay, making it versatile in multiple combat roles.

Although this prototype didn’t see the same widespread use as later models, the Ju 88 family proved vital during the war, especially during the Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa, and in various German bombing campaigns. By the end of the war, the Ju 88 was still in service, and the last aircraft were decommissioned in 1951 in France.

Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information: Unknown
📍 Location: Germany
📅 Date of photo: 1940
📷 Photographer: Unknown