The Junkers Ju88 was one of those classic airplane designs that could be adapted to all manner of missions. It began the war as a medium bomber, lightly armed but fast and maneuverable by the standards of its day. Certain versions were even equipped with dive brakes and used for dive bombing, though with considerable stress on the airframe. As the war progressed, it was built as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft, torpedo bomber, heavy day fighter, heavy night fighter, and one model even carried a 75mm cannon for tank destroying missions. The model depicted in the game is the heavy day fighter used against Allied bomber formations from late 1943 into 1944. It was effective in this mission only in the absence of enemy fighters. As an interesting side note, American bomber crews often reported attacks by rocket-armed Ju88s on their formations. This author has been unable to uncover any evidence that Ju88s were ever fitted with wing-mounted, air-to-air rockets. Air-to-ground rockets were used in Russia, but only on an experimental basis. Pending further evidence, it can only be assumed that bomber crews misidentified rocket-firing Bf110s or Me410s as Ju88s.
TACTICS: As a "heavy fighter" your main task is to intercept bombers. You should avoid combat with fighters unless accompanied by friendly escort fighters.
STRENGTHS: Strong, durable airframe.
WEAKNESSES: Very slow (by fighter standards). You will rarely be able to escape an enemy fighter intent on interception.
