<p>The RAF Museum chose to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the service by dismantling and closing the museum dedicated to its finest hour, the Battle of Britain Museum. Every cloud has a silver lining, however, and during May 2016 the aircraft were in a part dismantled state, allowing for some interesting photos.
</p><p>Landed undamaged at Dyce, Scotland, on 9th May 1943 when the crew defected. The aircraft was escorted to the airfield by two Spitfire VBs from 165sqn. 
This was quite a coup as this was the latest German night-fighter type. Within five days it had been flown to Farnborough and given British markings and the serial ‘PJ876’. An extensive series of tests and evaluations followed, ending in April 1944 when the aircraft joined No1426 (Enemy Aircraft) Flight, based at RAF Collyweston.
When the unit disbanded in January 1945, the aircraft joined the Central Fighter Establishment at Tangmere, before being allocated to a maintenance unit in October 1945.
Between then and 1974 it remained in store other than very occasional static appreances at public events.
In 1974/1975 the aircraft was restored at RAF StAthan and in 1978 it went on display in the Battle of Britain Hall.
RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK.
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28th May 2016
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/65001151@N03">Alan Wilson</a> from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK
CC BY-SA 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/32733014980/">Starboard engine of Junkers Ju88R-1 ‘360043’ (PJ876)</a>