| Accession Number | RELAWM35257 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Aircraft component |
| Physical description | Duralium or Duralimin, Paint |
| Location | Main Bld: World War 2 Gallery: Gallery 2: Air Europe |
| Maker |
Junkers Flugzeug Motorwerke AG, Magdeburg |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | c. 1943-1944 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Piece of Fuselage of German Ju 88G night fighter : Wing Commander K M Hampshire, 456 Squadron RAAF
Description
Piece of fuselage from a German Ju 88 night fighter. The piece carries the German Balkan cross insignia. This aircraft was destroyed by a Mosquito night fighter flown by Wing Commander Keith Mcdermot Hampshire DSO DFC on the night of March 27th 1944. This was Wing Commander Hampshire's second kill for one night, and third for the week. He was Commanding Officer of 456 Squadron RAAF Mosquito squadron. His navigator, Flight Lieutenant Tom Condon DFC, was responsible for detecting the enemy fighter and positioning the mosquito for the attack.
History / Summary
This piece of fuselage reveals a new type of camouflaging for night bombers, also blind rivetting. The red rivets are hollow and contain an explosive mixture and when placed in position are exploded to expand the shanks on the far side.
AWM Photographs SUK11943, SUK11944 and SUK11945 show both Hampshire and Condon inspecting the wreckage of one of their kills.