Junkers Ju 88 In American Markings

This aircraft is currently on display at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio. The Museum lists it as a D-1/Trop, but a D-1 with tropical conversion is supposed to be designated a D-3. We’re going with the USAF’s designation, but be aware of the difference.

The D-1/Trop (D-3) was just a straight conversion of the D-1 with an internal engine intake air filter and desert survival gear for the crew. The basic D-1 was the recce version of the Ju 88A-4.

The USAF report & photos list the colors on the aircraft when it flew at Wright Field as “RAF Mediterranean Scheme”, having been flown by the RAF before turning it over to the U.S. with the RAF serial HK959. The USAF number was FE-1598 and flew at Wright Field between November 1943 and March 1944.

The photos show the aircraft with the tail flags severely chipped and the U.S. stars/bars having faded center cocardes, but dark outlines. The aircraft originally had red outlined cocardes, then had the red outlines painted over by fresh Insignia Blue, leaving a two-toned star-and-bar.

After the ship was delivered to Wright Field, Ohio, the American flags were removed and an Army serial number was painted on the fine and rudder.

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CED48222 Ju 88D-1/Trop “American Flag”. Ju 88D-1/Trop (Ju 88D-3) Formerly Rumanian Air Force, delivered to Allies 22 July 22 1943 (slightly more than a week prior to the famous low-level B-24 raid on Ploesti). Huge American flags on tail, fuselage top, and wings!