Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>Ju87>HA0156

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

In 1940 the Hungarian Air Force established an independent dive-bomber group equipped with Ju-87 B-2 Stukas. The group used these for training their 2 squadrons until they received new Ju-87 D-3 and D-5’s. In 1943 2/2 Zuhanobombazo szazad (Dive Bomber Sqn.) called "Kokuszdio" ("coconut") later renamed 102/2 was involved in fighting on the Eastern Front. The dive-bomber group flew 1,200 sorties and by itself 102/2 managed to drop 800 tons of bombs. Around the end of October 1943 the group was ordered back to Hungary.

Specifications :

Type:	Single Engined Medium Bomber
Power Plant:	1 X 1,440hp Junkers Jumo 211J, 12 cylinder in line, water cooled
Wingspan:	45ft 3.25in (13.80m)
Length:	36ft 1in (11.00m)
Height:	12ft 9.5in (3.90 m)
Wing Area:	362.7sq ft (33.60 sq m)
Empty weight:	8,686lbs (3,940 kg)
Loaded weight:	14,550lbs (6,600 kg)
Max Speed:	255mph (410 km/h)
Climbing Rate:	3000 meters in 14 minutes
Max range:	410mi (660 km)
Service Ceiling:	27,885ft (8,500 m)
Armament:	2 x 20mm MGH151/20 one in each wing,
	1x7.92mm MG81machine gun, rear cockpit,
Ordnance:	1x 551 lb (250 kg) or 1x 1,103 lb (500 kg)
	or 1x 2205 lb (1,000 kg) bomb under fuselage, plus 4x 551 lb
	250 kg) or 2x 1103 lb (500 kg) bombs under wings. Maximum load - 3,500 lbs.