World War Photos

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Junkers Ju 87 “Stuka” (Sturzkampfflugzeug)
Junkers Ju 87 V1, featuring a twin-fin tail unit, flew in 1935 with a Rolls-Royce Kestrel V engine (V12 cylinder liquid cooled), followed in 1936 by the single-finned Ju 87V2 with a Jumo 210 engine. Within another year, the Ju 87A had entered production for the Luftwaffe, giving way in turn to the improved Ju 87B (1100 hp Junkers Jumo 211D engine) in 1938. The Ju 87 B series remained in quantity production for some two years, during which time large numbers were supplied to Germany’s allies as well as to the Luftwaffe. The designation Ju 87 C applied to a handful of Ju 87 B converted for the never finished carrier Graf Zeppelin. Meanwhile, the availability of the improved Junkers Jumo 211 J engine had led the Junkers designers to modify the Ju 87 with a view to utilising this engine.

The result appeared in 1940 in the form of the Ju 87D – still ugly, but much more refined aerodynamically, with cleaner cockpit and cowling lines. The Jut 87 D-3 and Ju 87 D-4, with various alternative underwing gun packs, marked the first specialised use of the type in the ground attack role. The Ju 87 G “Kanonenvogel” was an anti tank conversion of the long span D-5, with two 37 mm underwing cannon. Junkers Ju 87 H was a two seat trainer. Like other early Luftwaffe aircraft, the Ju 87 was compelled to serve long after it had become obsolete, because of the non-arrival of a successful replacement.
Total production: ~6500