Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>Ju87>HA0133

General Background

The Ju 87 was considered as one of the most important German military aircrafts during WWII. It was better known as the “Stuka” which means “Dive Bomber”.

While the Ju 87 achieved great success during the beginning of WWII due to its accuracy in bombing, it suffered from lack of speed and defense armament. Without the escort of German fighters the Stuka easily became preys for enemy high speed fighters. After the Battle of Britain the Ju 87 was seldom seen in actions in the continent.

In 1940, the Ju 87 D (the “Dora” series), with a more powerful engine Jumo 122F, was developed for the attack of heavily defended targets. In 1943, with the approaching invasion of Russia, the Ju87 G “Gustav” was developed for anti-tank purpose. It was fitted with two 37mm cannons under the main wing and the number 1 ace of it was the legendary Oberst (Colonel) Hans Ulrich Rudel who had achieved over 500 kills of Russian armor include one battle ship destruction.

The Aircraft

Because of the slow development of new attack aircraft Germany decided to improve what they already had, the Ju-87. The new and improved version was much more streamlined with an increase of power, so in 1942 all this gave birth to the Dora (D version) with a 1,400 hp Jumo 211 J or P engine. The new "D" version was going to be the main Stuka with over 5,000 Stukas built the Dora was the dominant one with more than 1500 D-3s were produced. The early winter camo scheme was used by units equipped with the Stuka G variant. It was a white wash applied over the standard summer paint scheme with no standard pattern being used. The Soviet summer offensives was driving the Germans back into Central Ukraine and from August 1943 until October 1943 II./StG 2 had suffered 8 losses. One of the Stukas, T6+EK was piloted by 21 year old Friedrich "Fritz" Reissner who shot down by Anti Aircraft fire on April 27, 1943 just east of Krimskaja, Soviet Union.

Specifications :

Length :	11.1 m
Wingspan :	13.8 m
Height :	3.9 m
Wing area :	31.90 m²
Empty weight :	3600 kg
Maximum weight :	5100 kg
Engine :	Junkers Jumo 211J
Maximum Power :	1410 hp
Maximum Power :	1037 kW
Maximum speed :	344 km/h
Dive speed :	600km/h
Range with bombs :	1000 km
Ceiling :	7500 m
Climb :	3000 m in 13.6 min
Forward guns :	2×7.92 mm MG 17(D)
	2×37 mm BK 37 (G)
Rear guns :	1×7.92 mm MG 81Z
	(twin MG 81)
Bombs :	1x500/1000kg
	4x250kg