The Shoreham Aircraft Museum

The Museum :: Projekt Schnellbomber

In mid-2008 the Museum took proud ownership of a partially restored forward cockpit section of a Junkers Ju88A-1 'Schnellbomber' (High-speed bomber), and this wonderful exhibit will form the centrepiece of the new Museum wing due to open during 2009. The aim of this long-term project is to restore the cockpit section to the rearward facing radio-operator/gunner's position.

The operational history of this particular German bomber is being researched and it is known to have been constructed in 1940 and to have served with a Luftwaffe bomber unit during the Battle of Britain, prior to further service on the Eastern Front. The Schnellbomber currently wears unit markings belonging to Kampfgeschwader 54 'Totenkopf'.

It is the current aim to acquire further items to help in the full restoration and a recent acquisition has been a rear canopy section, which although substantially complete will require a lot of work to make it look good as new again. Anyone with Ju88 cockpit items for offer, are welcome to contact the Museum.

As part of the project and to help raise funds towards the restoration, a great range of merchandise bearing the Projekt Schnellbomber logo will feature on items ranging from tee-shirts to mugs. News about these will feature soon.

Please check back for news on restoration progress, or better still, visit the Museum to see the Schnellbomber for yourself.

Fast teas now available

Mugs bearing the 'Projekt Schnellbomber' logo and the Museum logo on the opposite side are now available from the Museum shop. They are priced at £3.95 each.

Schnellbomber moves into new home

To move the Schnellbomber cockpit section from the main Museum into the new extension required a 'hop' over the Teagarden wall; so before Easter 2010 the Schnellbomber took to the air and landed safely before being manhandled into its new home.

Just in time before the Museum opened for the 2010 season, the cockpit section was re-assembled and placed on a raised plinth for display and quickly proved to be a very popular and impressive attraction for visitors.

Thanks to the modelling skills of Museum volunteer Bob Webster, now on display alongside the Schnellbomber cockpit, is a large-scale model of a Junkers Ju88 in the markings as would have been worn in Luftwaffe service by the Museum's Schnellbomber during the Battle of Britain.

Canopy restoration

March 23rd, 2011

The rear canopy section as previously featured above is currently under restoration by skilled hands. Most of the existing structure is being retained and has been stripped down to its component parts. The accompanying pictures show work-in-progress on the rear frame and gun ring mounting, including the fabrication of replacement parts. When completed, the restored canopy will again look much like it did in 1940.

Canopy restoration - update No.1

April 27th, 2011

The rear canopy frame is currently receiving lots of attention, specifically to straighten the out-of-shape elements and to weld into place those parts of the frame that are beyond repair.

Canopy restoration - update No.2

November 21st, 2011

Work continues at a steady pace to complete the restoration of the rear canopy. A lot of time has been spent replacing badly corroded/damaged elements of the frame and it is looking incredibly 'straight' when compared to its originally received battered and bent shape. The next stage is to complete the re-fitting of the rear-gun mounting and ring before re-glazing the whole assembly.

Ju88A-1 Specification

Type:

4-seat level & dive-bomber

Engines:

2 x Jumo 211 12-cylinder liquid cooled engines rated at 1,200 horsepower at take-off

Speed:

227 mph at sea level; 280 mph at 18,050 feet

Range:

620 miles at 217 mph and 18,050 feet; 1,055 miles with fuel tank in forward bomb bay

Max. ceiling:

32,150 feet

Armament:

7.9 mm MG15 machine gun (up to 5 fitted); various bombloads carried internally and externally up to 1,800 kg (3,960 lb)

Weight:

22,840 lb with maximum load

Dimensions:

span 60 ft 3¼ in; length 47 ft 1½ in; height 17 ft 5¾ in