Dive Bomber / Close Air Support (CAS) Attack Aircraft [ 1937 ]
Performance limitations aside, the Junkers Ju 87 StuKa was an effectively devastating weapon for the German Luftwaffe in the early part of World War 2.
Before the Allies would gain air superiority over the skies of France and Germany, the Junkers Ju 87 "StuKa" dive bomber would reign supreme. The system, for a time, became the terror of both civilian and soldier alike, as the screaming howl of its "Jericho Trumpet" sirens filled the sky with a shriek before letting lose with the aircraft's payload. In essence, the dive bomber was, for the first time, being used to critical effect - an almost forecasting of the capabilities of today's direct-strike precision bombing.
The name "StuKa" comes from the longform "Sturzkampfflugzeug" which translates to "Drop-Down-Fight-Airplane".
The Ju 87 grew out of five similar prototypes (V1 through V5) fitted with slightly different powerplants and airframes. The final of the four prototypes of the Ju 87 V1 series would end up as the official and initial production models for service with the German Luftwaffe. The system, among other weapons and tactics, would be utilized to stunning effectiveness with Germany's participation in the Spanish Civil War - these particular StuKas would be flown by the famed "Condor Legion" from 1938-1939.
However it was in this combat exposure that exposed various performance and capability issues with the Ju 87 StuKa line. British fighter aircraft and their better trained and disciplined pilots were capable of attacking dive bombers at will unless the Ju 87 flight was protected by fighter escorts (which was not always the case). Losses were such that Ju 87s were temporarily withdrawn from any aggressive service during the battle. The Battle of Britain ended as a victory for the British people and a black eye for the vaunted Luftwaffe which suffered its first notable defeat in any one campaign.
In an effort to shore up its limitations, the Ju 87D model was revealed and these were posted along the East Front and during the North African Campaign. The Ju 87G model came online as a dedicated "tank buster" armed through twin 37mm cannons. This particular entry provided new life to the series and would later prove to be one of the most successful designs of the war.
The Ju 87 was crewed by two personnel - a pilot and a rear-gunner seated inline under a glazed canopy. The machine gunner managed a twin-7.92mm machine gun arrangement seated atop a trainable mounting used to defend the aircraft's more vulnerable "six" position. Unlike more modern aircraft of the period, the StuKa flew with a fixed undercarriage which created drag but lessened its complexity and repair times. Flaps were used to good effect when entering into a dive bombing attack run or during landing actions.
To put the value of this war machine in perspective, Luftwaffe pilot Hans-Ulrich Rudel was credited with sinking three major Allied navy ships - a battleship, a destroyer and a cruiser - on top of destroying 519 armored vehicles (mostly combat tanks). The StuKas effect on the early portion of the war renewed interest on the part of the Allies to design and develop dive bombers of their own resulting in several successful tries at such a weapon (and others providing mixed results).
In all, production of the Ju 87 Stuka series totaled approximately 6,500 aircraft appearing through various makes and models making it one of the most recognizable of all the German aircraft - if not by name then by visual appearance. Service introduction came in 1936 and its usefulness was seen into the final year of the war (1945).
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
Specifications
Junkers - Germany Manufacturer(s)
Bulgaria; Croatia; Czechoslovakia; Nazi Germany; Hungary; Kingdom of Italy; Japan; Romania; Slovak Republic; United Kingdom; United States; Yugoslavia Operators
GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
37.7 ft (11.50 meters) Length
45.3 ft (13.80 meters) Width/Span
12.8 ft (3.90 meters) Height
8,598 lb (3,900 kilograms) Empty Weight
14,551 lb (6,600 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
STANDARD:
2 x 7.92mm forward-facing machine guns
2 x 7.92mm machine guns in rear-facing cockpit
OPTIONAL:
Maximum external bombload of up to 3,968 lb including conventional drop bombs under fuselage and wing hardpoints, 2 x 37mm underwing anti-tank cannons and anti-personnel munitions.
2 or 3 (underwing and under-fuselage) Hardpoints
Ju 87 V1 - Prototype Model fitted with Rolls-Royce Kestrel V inline engine generating 640hp; endplate vertical surfacing; One of this type produced; second prototypes (2 constructed) fitted with Junkers Jumo 210Aa inline engine generating 610hp; fourth prototype featured increased vertical tail surface; this last prototype became base model for production series.
Ju 87A - Base Production Model of the fourth Ju 87 V1 prototype; fitted with Jumo 210C engine generating 640hp; 210 of this model produced.
Ju 87B - Fitted with Jumo 211D at 1,200hp; features included spats replacing the wheel farings and larger canopy.
Ju 87D - Official dive bomber and ground attack model fitted with Jumo 211J at 1,410hp engine; revised canopy and engine cowling, increased vertical tail surfacing, improved armament and redesigned landing gears.
Ju 87G - Anti-tank derivative featuring 2 x 37mm underwing cannons.
Ju 87H - Trainer variant based on the Ju 87D model but fitted with dual control systems.
Ju 87R - Long-range anti-shipping variant based on the Ju 87B model.
Images
1 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
2 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
3 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
4 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
5 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
6 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
7 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
8 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
9 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
