Book Description

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 73. Chapters: Junkers Ju 87, Junkers Ju 88, Junkers Ju 52, Junkers Ju 290, Junkers Ju 188, Junkers G 24, Junkers Ju 388, Junkers J 1, Junkers F.13, Junkers Ju 86, Junkers Ju 390, Junkers Ju 90, Junkers J 2, Junkers T 23, Junkers G 31, Junkers Ju 49, Junkers T 19, Junkers J 15, Junkers J 29, Junkers Ju 288, List of Junkers Ju 52 operators, Junkers Ju 89, Junkers Ju 160, Junkers Ju 287, Junkers EF 132, Junkers EF 126, Junkers K 37, Junkers T.21, Junkers Ju 46, Junkers CL.I, Junkers K 47, Junkers J.I, Junkers Ju 268, Junkers D.I, Junkers Ju 488, Junkers K 16, Junkers Ju 60, Junkers A 32, Junkers EF 61. Excerpt: The Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka (from Sturzkampfflugzeug, "dive bomber") was a two-man (pilot and rear gunner) German ground-attack aircraft. Designed by Hermann Pohlmann, the Stuka first flew in 1935 and made its combat debut in 1936 as part of the Luftwaffes Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. The aircraft was easily recognizable by its inverted gull wings, fixed spatted undercarriage and its infamous Jericho-Trompete ("Jericho Trumpet") wailing siren, becoming the propaganda symbol of German air power and the blitzkrieg victories of 1939-1942. The Stuka's design included several innovative features, including automatic pull-up dive brakes under both wings to ensure that the aircraft recovered from its attack dive even if the pilot blacked out from the high acceleration. Although sturdy, accurate, and very effective, the Ju 87 was vulnerable to modern fighter aircraft, like many other dive bombers of the war. Its flaws became apparent during the Battle of Britain; poor manoeuvrability, lack of speed and defensive armament meant that the Stuka required heavy fighter escort to operate effectively. The Stuka operated with further success after the Battle of Britain, and its potency as a precision ground-attack aircraft...