Introductory comments
This is the start of a new topic for expired Junkers 88 G-6 eBay auctions. For my analysis of the photographic records, I will provide as much context and information as I can find for each photograph acknowledging that the Ju88G-6 database started by Peter Evans of the LEMB and today hosted by GYGES, Ju88G-6 database, and the Ju88G-6 data base thread at LEMB, LEMB Ju88G-6 Database Project, offer already a great source as well as plentiful references to published photographs or research. Although I generally prefer to publish these finds on a Luftwaffe forum with the possibility of sharing knowledge and comments, in my experience little sharing takes actually place. Under these circumstances, creating a dedicated thread rather than one among many in a forum hopefully provides a place to go to for those interested in this particular topic.
Junkers 88 G-6 4R+FB
source: Ju88G-6 4R+FB eBay Feb2016
Although this recently offered photograph does not show the aircraft’s identity, careful examination and comparison with other published photographs strongly suggest that this is an aircraft of Stab I./NJG2 said to be found at Braunschweig.
This photographed aircraft is equipped with FuG220 with 45-degree dipoles, FuG350 Naxos, a FuG16 antenna beneath the fuselage and a single MG in the rear of the cabin. No flame dampers are installed. The base camouflage is very likely RLM 76, possibly with mottles in RLM 75 although neither this nor any other photograph fully supports this. Additional squiggles have been applied in what appears to be two different colors. The one letter applied to the fuselage behind the Balkenkreuz could well be a “B”. Finally, rear of the belly armament open panels can be observed.
David P. Williams' Nachtjäger Volume Two, p.166, contains a photograph of a Ju88G-6 with the same features where the letters “FB” are clearly visible. Under strong magnification the unit code 4R can also be discerned. In particular the position of the propeller blades confirms that these are two photographs of the same aircraft. In this second picture, a single Schräge Musik gun can been seen right behind the cabin. Of particular interest is the fuselage Balkenkreuz which consist of the full black fill with white edges, a style rather common for Ju88G-1 but rarely applied to the G-6 variant. The Balkenkreuz is quite "ruffled" and the black part looks beaten.
I also have above photograph of the same aircraft on file, which was sold on eBay in 2011. It provides us with a better view of the starboard side and reiterates the aircraft’s various peculiarities. Although at first sight the aircraft looks exactly the same as in the first photograph, the position of the starboard propeller blades differs, albeit slightly. Closer examination of the starboard spinner reveals that it is painted in two different colors with the tip appearing to be green. The same seems to apply to the port spinner. This would fit with the individual markings associating this aircraft with the Stab of a I. Gruppe.
To identify the camouflage in more detail, we are fortunate to have a color photograph of this aircraft as reference, which was published in Merrick, Creek & Green, p.42. The tip of the starboard spinner is clearly of a green hue. The Wellenmuster consists of a thoroughly applied green tone, RLM 82, and of occasionally added shorter squiggles in a darker, brown color which could be either RLM 81 or RLM 83.
Merrick & Co. identify two additional interesting marking deviations from the norm: they interpret the wing undersurface Balkenkreuz applied only as a black cross without white edgings. However, the photograph in Williams clearly shows the regular white edges as well, making it a standard marking for night fighters. The second feature they identify is a yellow wing tip. It is difficult to deny that the color photograph appears to show a yellow undersurface which stretches to the Balkenkreuz. However, this could also be a reflection of the grass or a discoloration of the original photograph. Our initial photograph neither fully supports nor fully denies such feature. I leave this undecided until better information surfaces.
All the above confirms that the photograph shows with very high likelihood a Stab aircraft of I./NJG2 marked as 4R+FB with a late war squiggle camouflage applied to provide better protection on the ground. Based on second source information, the aircraft was found at Braunschweig.
References
Williams, David P., 2005, Luftwaffe Colours - Nachtjäger Volume Two, Classic Ian Allan Publishing, Hersham, Surrey
Merrick, K.A., Creek, Eddie J., Green, Brett, 2007, Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings 1933 - 1945, Photo Archive 1, Midland Publishing, Hinkley
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