Not a type that you'd think would be the subject of an Aces book, however, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. One is that those who flew a lot of bomber missions and were successful were considered aces in their line of work, even if it did not result in the destruction of an enemy aircraft. Secondly, the Ju-88 was also developed as a night intruder, heavy fighter, and night fighter. In those roles, there were pilots who met the standard ace requirements in the type.

The book is as much a quick rundown of the operational career of the Ju-88 as anything else. It is a quick one due to the requirement to put it all into 80 pages as much as anything else. However, the author has done his work well and has chosen highlights from the various theaters of operation in which the aircraft was involved as well as the various types that were flown.

Initially developed as a fast bomber, the dive bombing requirement was added after development was underway which slowed things down a bit. It was not a numerous as its He-111 and Do-17 stable mates early in the war, though they type did take part in somewhat lesser numbers. It was operations on the Eastern Front that really brought the Ju-88 into its own.

The aircraft was developed into a heavy fighter, night fighter, night intruder and even operated as a torpedo bomber and transport when required. It is one of the few heavy types that operated from the beginning to the end of the war and though outside the scope of this book, it soldiered on in the air arms of several nations into the early 1950s.

The author covers a large subject in an effective way and thanks to the good choice of period photos as well as the illustrations of Jim Laurier's superb profiles. It is a book that should be on the shelves of every enthusiast of the type.

February 2019

Copyright Modeling Madness.com. All rights reserved.

Thanks to www.ospreypublishing.com for the review book. You can get yours at your local stockist or direct from the link.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.