- Yes
- No
I would like to suggest here the P-4 version of which 1 (handloaded Ausf. A) and 32 (autoloaded Ausf.B) was produced. I suggest that the basic plane would be the Ausf. A handloaded with 42+1 rounds and the autoloader with 36+1 rounds as “Ausf. B” be a modification, as otherwise both planes are identical, however the modification would take some ammo away, but give it a fire rate of 50 rpm, while the handloaded version could reload at 3 sec per shot (the KwK 39/1 (which this basically is) could do up to 20 rpm, in the aircraft more space and fixed gun, with the ammo right next to it, multiple loaders, around 20-30 rpm). The advantage and trade off would be mostly that you can choose (for Air or Ground RB) what you need more, fire rate or ammo amount as with 41 rounds you could destroy LOTS of AI tanks and other targets, while the 36 rounds are still a lot, but the extra RPM would be usable to hunt aircraft or generally shoot more effective against Player controlled tanks, if you still miss a shot.
The P series are modified Ju 88 C-6 (which is allready in game) to carry: P-1 a Pak 40/Bk 75, P-2 2x Bk 37 (mostly unchanged A-4), P-3 2x Bk 37 more armor and Jumo 211 P engines (starting power 1500 hp at 2700 rpm) P-4 Ausf. A carring a hand loaded 5 cm Bk 5 with 42+1 rounds and P-4 Ausf. B (32 build and used with great effect at the eastern front) as drum fed 5 cm Bk 5 with 36+1 rounds.
History: With the ever more threatening russian tank army moving against the german attacks the call for more CAS was needed. While beeing more cost effective and having more potential per flight than bombs, cannons on planes are not easy to implement (big ones) so strong carrier planes were equiped with cannons from 37mm to 88mm of the Types Ju 87, 88, Me 410, and Hs 129.
The Ju 88 P series was more or less effective, planned to fight tanks and Bombers, the results werent that good, because the guns with the HUGE baskets made them slow and a nice target for enemy fighters and ground units.
Never the less the P series was used as Ground striker with overall good effect.
The P-3 series was sent to one squadron of the Nachtschlachtgruppe 1, 2, 4, 8 and 9 for night attacks on the eastern front, northern Norway and Italy
Why i would like to see it (or them) in game:
Germany is famous for those planes and they are liked by many players (the planes in game allready) and overall there are multiple planes like these in the different trees such as US, RU, JP, IT and Germany.
However the P-4 is quite unique, many were build of the Ausf. A (which was handloaded with 42+1 rounds) and 1 of Ausf. B with 36+1 rounds and a Drum auto loader
In game it would be a low Br pre plane to the Me 410 A-1/U4 (And B-1/U4) with the same Bk 5, however without secondary offecive armarment, however more ammo (22 → 36+1 → 42+1 rounds)
It would be fairly good against even Heavy low Br tanks, however would lack ability to effectively attack enemy planes, while the defencive ability is still relatively good.
The Gun is the Bk 5, it is a modified development upon the prooven 5 cm KwK 39 L/60. The Title Bk 5 not just is for the full gun with Auto loader, but even for the gun without auto loader, as in the Ausf. A it is hand loaded as well as hand loaded it was used on the ground, the only difference is the new muzzle brake as well as the missing recoil guard. However it also appears that on the Ausf. A, it uses the older type 2 baffle Muzzle brake of the Pak 38. (See pictures).
But overall the P-4 was a refined take, as it came with a redesigned smaller pod for the gun, compared ot the others.
For more info about the ammo and gun as well other Aircraft guns, feel free to take a look at my created Informatic post about German WW2 Aircraft guns and ammo of 7,92mm - 88mm
The Plane Ju 88 P-4 based on the C-6
- Crew: 3 (pilot, radio operator/rear gunner, navigator/ventral gunner)
- Length: 14.4 m (47 ft 3 in)
- Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
- Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 54.5 m2 (587 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 9,860 kg (21,737 lb)
- Gross weight: 12,105 kg (26,686 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 14,000 kg (30,865 lb)
- Powerplant: 2x Jumo 211 P engines 1500 hp take off power
- Propellers: 3-bladed VDM variable-pitch propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 470 km/h (290 mph, 250 kn) at 5,300 m (17,390 ft) and 12,500 kg (27,557 lb)
- Cruise speed: 370 km/h (230 mph, 200 kn) at 5,300 m (17,390 ft) economical cruising speed
- Range: 1,790 km (1,110 mi, 970 nmi) with 2,896 l (765 US gal; 637 imp gal)
- Ferry range: 2,730 km (1,700 mi, 1,470 nmi) with 4,028 l (1,064 US gal; 886 imp gal)
- Service ceiling: 8,200 m (26,900 ft)
- Time to altitude: 5,400 m (17,700 ft) in 23 minutes
- Wing loading: 220 kg/m2 (45 lb/sq ft)
- Power/mass: 0.100 hp/lb (0.164 kW/kg)
Armament
- Guns:
- 1x 5 cm Bk 5 (Hand loaded 42 + 1 in the chamber rounds and 20-30 RPM, Auto loader 36 rounds + 1 in the chamber. 50 RPM)
- 2 × 7.92 mm MG 81J machine guns on flexible mount in the rear of the cockpit canopy, firing aft with 1,000 rounds each.
- 1 × 7.92 mm MG 81Z twin machine gun on flexible mount in the rear ventral Bola position, firing aft with 1,000 rounds.
Regarding the hand loaded Bk-5, it is simply a 5 cm KwK 39/1 L/60 without the recoil guard and a Rheinmetall style muzzle brake.
Unlike in the tanks, on the Ju 88 P-4, it has the ammo stored right next to the gun, which is fixed in elevation and traverse and more room to work with. Possible also multiple crew to load it, as such the fire rate or even quicker of the KwK 39/1 can likely be achived.
KwK 39/1 Datasheet including reload speed
Source:
Aircraft of the Luftwaffe 1935-1945, Jean-Denis G.G. Lepage
The Warplanes of the Third Reich, William Green (1972)
Junker Ju 88P, Rickard, J.
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