Abandoned Junkers Ju 388
[Source: Retrowar collection]

The exact number of Ju 388s built is difficult to determine. One of the reasons is that various pre-series aircraft were used as prototypes, and some were damaged or destroyed by Allied bombs before completion. Furthermore, several official records terminate before the end of production or contradict each other.

Based on available documentation and research the following can be assumed as proven:

• 6 Ju 388 prototypes, 2 each for J-1, K-1 and L-1
• 20 Ju 388 L-0, including prototypes V7, V8, V30 - V34
• 10 Ju 388 K-0, first batch, including two converted to the Ju 488 V401/V402 prototypes (never flown)
• 1 Ju 388 K-1 manufactured by ATG for static tests in July 1944
• 46 Ju 388 L-1 manufactured by ATG in 1944
• 8+ Ju 388 L-1 manufactured by ATG in 1945
• 10 Ju 388 L-1 (max.) manufactured by Weserflug (WFG), initially planned as K-1

More aircraft and prototypes were planned and partially completed:

• 10 Ju 388 K-0, second batch, some prototypes, partially completed
• 30 Ju 388 K-0, third batch, planned, only few units completed

Also, an unknown number of Ju 388 L-1 and Ju 388 J were in advanced stages of production by the end of the war.

Sources:
Gunston, Bill - The Encyclodepia of the Worlds Combat aircraft, 1976, Chartwell Books, Inc., New York
Brown, Eric, Captain - Wings of the Luftwaffe, 1979, Airlife Publishing Ltd., Shrewsbury
Gunston, Bill & Wood, Tony - Hitler's Luftwaffe, 1977, Salamander Books Ltd., London
Donald, David - The Complete Encyclopedia Of World Aircraft, 1997, Brown Packaging Books Ltd., London
Wikipedia - Junkers Ju 388