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Junkers Ju 87 Picchiatello RA article by Avions 162 page 54

Junkers Ju 87 Picchiatello RA article by Avions 162 page 54

The Junkers Ju 87 Stuka in a nutshell

  • National origin:- Germany
  • Role:- Dive bomber
  • Manufacturer:- Junkers
  • Designer:- Hermann Pohlmann
  • First flight:- 17th September 1935
  • Introduction:- 1936 Retired:- 1945 (Luftwaffe)
  • Primary users:- Luftwaffe, Bulgarian Air Force, Hungarian Air Force, Regia Aeronautica, Royal Romanian Air Force
  • Produced:- between 1936-1945
  • Number built:- Estimated 6,500

The Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka (from Sturzkampfflugzeug, 'dive bomber') is a German dive bomber and ground-attack aircraft. Designed by Hermann Pohlmann, it first flew in 1935. The Ju 87 made its combat debut in 1937 with the Luftwaffe's Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War and served the Axis forces in World War II.

The aircraft was easily recognisable by its inverted gull wings and fixed spatted undercarriage. Upon the leading edges of its faired main gear legs were mounted the Jericho-Trompete (Jericho trumpet) wailing sirens, becoming the propaganda symbol of German air power and the blitzkrieg victories of 1939-1942. The Stuka's design included several innovative features, including automatic pull-up dive brakes under both wings to ensure that the aircraft recovered from its attack dive even if the pilot blacked out from the high g-forces.

The Stuka operated with considerable success in close air support and anti-shipping at the outbreak of World War II. It spearheaded the air assaults in the invasion of Poland in September 1939. Stukas were crucial in the rapid conquest of Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and France in 1940. Although sturdy, accurate, and very effective against ground targets, the Stuka was vulnerable to contemporary fighter aircraft, like many other dive bombers of the war. During the Battle of Britain its lack of manoeuvrability, speed and defensive armament meant that it required a heavy fighter escort to operate effectively. After the Battle of Britain the Stuka took part in the Balkans Campaign, the African and Mediterranean theatres and the early stages of the Eastern Front where it was used for general ground support, as an effective specialised anti-tank aircraft and in an anti-shipping role. Once the Luftwaffe lost air superiority, the Stuka became an easy target for enemy fighter aircraft on all fronts. It was produced until 1944 for lack of a better replacement. By then ground-attack versions of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 had largely replaced the Stuka, but Stukas remained in service until the end of the war.

An estimated 6,500 Ju 87s of all versions were built between 1936 and August 1944.

Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 87 Stuka ground attack aircraft

Ju 87AJu 87BJu 87DJu 87G
Production1936-19381938-19411941-1944refitted Ju 87D
Roleground attackground attackground attackanti-tank
Crew2222
Length10.8 m11.1 m11.1 m11.1 m
Wingspan13.8 m13.8 m13.8 m13.8 m
Height3.9 m3.9 m3.9 m3.9 m
Wing area31.90 m²31.90 m²31.90 m²31.90 m²
Empty weight2273 kg2760 kg2810 kg3600 kg
Maximum weight3324 kg4400 kg5720 kg5100 kg
EngineJunkers Jumo 210DJunkers Jumo 211DJunkers Jumo 211JJunkers Jumo 211J
Maximum Power720 hp1200 hp1410 hp1410 hp
Maximum Power530 kW883 kW1037 kW1037 kW
Maximum speed310 km/h340 km/h354 km/h344 km/h
Dive speed550 km/h600 km/h600 km/h
Range with bombs800 km600 km1165 km1000 km
Ceiling9430 m8100 m9000 m7500 m
Climb3000 m in 8.8 min3000 m in 14 min3000 m in 13.6 min
Forward guns1x7.92 mm MG 172x7.92 mm MG 172x7.92 mm MG 172x7.92 mm MG 17
2x37 mm BK 37
Rear guns1x7.92 mm MG 151x7.92 mm MG 151x7.92 mm MG 81Z
(twin MG 81)
1x7.92 mm MG 81Z
(twin MG 81)
Maximum bombs250 kg500 kg1800 kgnone
Typical bombs1x250 kg1x250 kg
+ 4x50 kg
1x500/1000 kg
+ 4x50 kg
none

 

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This webpage was updated 19th June 2019