STUKA JUNKERS JU 87
'Stuka' or 'Sturzkampfflugzeug' was the general German terminology for dive-bombers, but the Ju 87 with its inverted gull wing, and fixed-undercarriage was the most famous and feared of all. The Ju 87 was ugly, sturdy, accurate, but very vulnerable to enemy fighters; its use demanded air superiority. But its effectiviness in destroying fortifications or ships, or just scaring people, was undoubted. On the eastern front the last Ju 87 versions were employed as anti-tank aircraft with underwing 37mm guns. Over 5700 were build.
Several
different types of the Stuka:
Anton (A) - This was the first
production version of the Stuka. Relatively underpowered, it could only carry
the rated 1,102lb bomb load by leaving the rear gunner behind. The most notable
cosmetic features are the "trousered" landing struts, square rudder, and small
radiator housing. Three Antons served with the Condor Legion in Spain, problems
revealed there were essential in the developement of the Berta. Other than these
three examples, none saw combat. Most Antons were assigned to home based units
and used for training in 1939.
Berta (B) -
The Berta evolved in an attempt to solve the problems discovered in the
disappointing performance of the Anton. The primary difference was the
installation of the Junkers Jumo 211 A engine, which was rated at 1,100hp. This
gave the Ju 87B the necessary power to be a truly effective dive-bomber. The
cowling was redesigned to allow for this installation and included the shifting
of several support systems and a larger, rounder radiator bath. Another feature
that was a completely redesigned of the landing struts. Gone were the ungainly
trousers and in there place were much more aerodynamically efficient spats. Also
introduced was an automatic pull-out device to prevent pilots that blacked out
during a being rudely awakened by an untimely impact into the terrain. Five Ju
87B-1's flew with the Condor Legion and completely eclipsed the Antons
performance, thus securing for itself a place in the RLM's tight production
schedule.
The Berta was developed into several different versions including the
Trop version used by the Afrika
Corps and the long ranged R version that was equipped with "strap-on" fuel
tanks. The Berta served with distinction in the Polish invasion but revealed
severe vulnerabilities a year later during the Battle of Britain, forcing them
to be withdrawn to theatres where the Luftwaffe enjoyed some sort of air
superiority. The Berta served throughout the war, mainly on the Eastern front
and with various airforces, including the Slovakian, Romanian, Hungarian and
Italy's Regia Aeronautica.
The Berta was also used as the basis for the C variant which was being developed
as a carrier based dive bomber. The C variant was cancelled when it was realized
that the Berta's airframe was obsolete.
(C) - The C model was developed for use on Germany's planned aircraft carrier, the Graf Zepplin. The main differences from the B model was the inclusion of a tail hook, folding wings and jettisonable landing gear for ditching at sea.
Dora (D) - With the development of new attack aircraft proceeding slowly, it was decided to put a improved version of the successful Ju 87 into production, thus the Dora was born. The Dora's were without a doubt the prevailing type later in the war and a dozen versions were produced or planned. Most versions incorporated mainly engine, armament and armor changes but several version stand out. The D-3 was at one time modified to carry two personel pods attatched to the upper wings. These parachute delivered pods were, if successful, to be used for the delivery of clandestine agents. The D-4 was modified to carry torpedoes. A D-1 was modified and redesignated a Ju 87E, a ill-fated attempt to breath life into the doomed carrier based dive bomber project. D-7 and D-8 versions were modified for night harrassment dutied. The single most successful version was the Gustav, detailed below.
Gustav (G) - In 1943 the first G-1's entered service (these being converted from D-3's). The G-1 was designed for one purpose only, to kill tanks (in a way, along with the Il-2 Stormavik, the ancestor of the A-10 Warthog). To accomplish this mission, the Gustav was equipped with two 37mm Flak 18 cannons. The G-1, and later the G-2 (converted from the long wingspan D-5)proved to be highly successful in "tankbusting", soon earning nicknames like 'Kanonenvogel' (Cannonbird) and 'Panzerknacker' (tank cracker). Most Gustavs were used on the Eastern front but could be found on the Western front as well by the end of the war.
Hans Ulrich Rudel was one of the famoust Luftwaffe pilots and a Stuka ace
Engine:
Single Engine All Models
Ju 87A-2 - 680 hp Jumo 210 Da
with a two-stage supercharger
Ju 87B-1 - 1,100 hp Jumo 211 A
Ju 87B-2 - 1,200 hp Jumo 211 Da
12 Cylinder liquid-cooled inverted Vee
Ju 87R-1 - Same powerplant as Ju
87B-1
Ju 87R-2, R-3 - Same powerplant
as Ju 87B-2
Ju 87C - 1,100 hp Jumo 211 A
Ju 87D-1 to D5, G, H - 1,400 hp
Jumo 211 J 12 Cylinder liquid-cooled inverted vee
Ju 87D-7 & D-8 - 1,500 hp Jumo
211 P 12 Cylinder liquid-cooled inverted vee
Barrel Armaments
Ju 87A-2 - One 7.92mm MG 15
manually aimed in rear cockpit
Ju 87B series, R series, C - Two
7.92mm Rheinmetall MG 17 machine guns in wings, One 7.92mm MG 15 manually aimed
in rear cockpit
Ju 87D-1 to D-3, D-7 - Two 7.92mm
Rheinmetall MG 17 machine guns in wings, one 7.92mm MG 81Z twin machine guns
manually aimed in rear cockpit
Ju 87D-4 - Two underwing WB81
weapon containers each housing six MG 81 guns.
Ju 87D-5, D-8 - Two 20mm MG
151/20 cannon in wings, one 7.92mm MG 81Z twin machine guns manually aimed in
rear cockpit Ju 87G - Two 37mm
Flak 18 Bord Kannone (12 rounds of ammo carried per gun)
Ju 87H - None (Used for training)
Drop Ordnance
Ju 87A - Single 250kg bomb
Ju 87B, C - One 250kg bomb on the
centerline trapeze and two 50kg bombs on each wing
Ju 87D - Various loads up to a
maximum 3,968 lbs
Ju 87D-4 - One 1,687lb LT F5b
Torpedo or loads of similar weight.
Ju 87G - None
Type: Ju 87B-1
Function: dive bomber
Year: 1938
Crew: 2
Engines: 1 * 880kW Junkers Jumo 211Da
Wing Span: 45ft 3in
Length: 36ft 5in
Height: 13ft 2in
Speed: 385 km/h
Ceiling: 8000 m
Range: 600 km
Armament: 3*mg7.9 mm 1000 kg
Type: Ju 87G-1
Function: anti-tank
Year: 1942
Crew: 2
Engines: 1 * 1400hp Junkers Jumo 211J
Wing Span: 15.00 m
Length: 11.50 m
Height: 3.90 m
Wing Area: 33.69m2
Empty Weight: 4400 kg
Max.Weight: 6600 kg
Speed: 314 km/h
Range: 320 km
Armament: 2*g37 mm 1*mg 7.92 mm