Ju 88 Aces of World War 2
By Robert Forsyth, Illustrated by Jim Laurier
Series: Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 133
Paperback, 96 pages, illustrated, 30 color profiles
Published by Osprey Publishing January 2019
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1472829212
ISBN-13: 978-1472829214
Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.3 x 9.8 inches
This volume follows the standard format which will be familiar to any reader of Osprey’s previous Aircraft of the Aces volumes. Author Robert Forsyth provides a historical overview of the development of the Junkers Ju 88 and Luftwaffe’s employment of the versatile aircraft in various capacities. Illustrator Jim Laurier presents thirty beautifully rendered side profiles of the aircraft, many of which are depicted here for the first time.
The inclusion of this book in Osprey’s Aces series is a bit of a misnomer. One generally thinks of an ace as a fighter pilot with five or more kills, or in case of the Luftwaffe, Experten with ten or more kills. While there are night fighter aces included here, there are also chapters on bomber aces, anti-shipping aces, train busters, and night intruders – virtually any of the many roles which the Ju 88 was adapted to fill during the war. There is even a section on the Mistel composite aircraft. Some of these roles have been described in greater detail in other Osprey volumes. One has to wonder if this volume doesn’t try to cover too much ground in too broad a manner, thus potentially limiting the possibility of future volumes going into each role in more detail.
This is a good effort though, and provides much modeling inspiration in the beautiful profiles, and much background information to go along with them. Recommended to all fans of the versatile Ju 88.
