Built around mobility and flexibility, Germany's Blitzkreig across Poland and France in 1939-40 was devastatingly efficient. A key factor in this 'lightning war' was the Ju 87 Stuka. A symbol of terror and destruction this ugly dive-bomber gained an almost legendary reputation in its relatively short operational career. The name Stuka is an abbreviation of Sturzkampflugzeug, a general term for all dive bombers but popularly applied to the cranked-wing Junkers aircraft.
The demoralising effect of the Ju 87 in its dive bomber role (an accuracy of less than 30 yards was claimed in a diving attack) was further enhanced by the addition of a wind-driven siren to produce a characteristic scream!Stuka units entered the Battle of Britain with confidence, backed by the German propaganda machine hailing the aircraft as the supreme weapon, but RAF Fighter Command's aggressive defence of targets in Southern England prevented the Stukas from repeating their earlier successes. Design work on the Ju 87 was begun in 1933 by Junkers engineer Dpl. Ing. Pohlmann and the prototype made its first flight in early 1935. Power was provided by a 640 h.p. Rolls-Royce Kestrel V Engine and the aircraft differed from later production machines in having twin fins and rudders. Excessive vibration on the tail surfaces resulted in structural failure and the loss of the aircraft in the early flight test stage. The second prototype was fitted with a large single fin and rudder thus curing the vibration problem. Production Ju 87A aircraft entered Luftwaffe service with Stukageschwader 163 in 1937 and at the end of the year a detachment was sent to Spain to evaluate the type under combat conditions with the Condor Legion. Almost unopposed attacks were made on roads, bridges and other targets in support of the Nationalist forces and the Luftwaffe gained valuable experience in the art of dive-bomber operations. In 1938 the improved Ju 87B incorporating a number of modifications succeeded the A series on the production lines. The 635 h.p. Junkers Jumo engine of the earlier version was replaced by a 1,100 h.p. engine in the B-2 and in consequence the bomb load was doubled. The B-2/Trop. Variant had tropical filters and desert survival equipment for operations in the Mediterranean and Southern Russia. Also based on the B series was the Ju 87R (the R indicating Reichweite or range) long-range version fitted with underwing drop tanks increasing the range to 875 miles with a bomb load restricted to a single 551 lb bomb. On August 16th 1940, at the height of the Battle of Britain a large force of Stukas of St. G 2 attacked RAF Tangmere in Sussex. 43 Sqn flying Hurricanes and based on the airfield were scrambled and succeeded in destroying seven dive-bombers, but not before severe damage had been done to the base. Many other airfields in Southern England suffered similar attacks at this period, but always with grievous losses for the Stukas. Later in 1940 their attacks on the British mainland were spasmodic, 'hit and run' raids against allied shipping in the English Channel being more effective. It was during one such attack in the early afternoon of 14th November 1940 that 'J9+BL', one of the subjects of this kit, was shot down off Dover by RAF Spitfires, only the pilot - Oblt. Otto Blumers - surviving to become a prisoner of war. An alternative set of markings is included for a Ju87B-2/Trop. of 4./St.G.2 'Immelmann' based at Tmimi, Libya, in June 1941. The Ju87B-2 was powered by a 1,100 h.p. Junkers Jumo 211A-1 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, giving it a maximum speed of 371 km/h (232 mph) at 4,110m (13,500 ft). Range with 500kg (1,100lb). bomb load: 590km (370 miles). Wing span: 13.78m (45ft 3in). Length: 10.99m (36ft 1in). Height: 3.76m (12ft 4in). Armament: up to 993kg (2,205lb) of bombs (including light bombs on underwing racks); two fixed 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns in wings, one flexible 7.92mm MG 15 machine gun in rear cockpit.