Junkers Ju. 87 Click here to read an extract from the novel featuring this aircraft.	Photo is of the Airfix 1/48th scale model

The Junkers Ju 87 dive-bomber was commonly called the "Stuka" although this word is a reference to the generic German word for "dive-bomber". The distinctive gull-wing shape was based on a design by the U.S. manufacturer Curtiss Hawk which had influenced Udet to modify an existing Junkers design.

 Several design features made it a very cheap yet precision bomber, although at the time of the Battle of Britain it had bomb load limited to about half that of the Dornier Do 17 or a quarter that of the Heinkel He. III. It had the slowest speed of any operational aircraft on either side, and a limited range (extra fuel tanks were introduced during 1940 on the "R" version). They were a poor match for Spitfires or Hurricanes, yet they had a reputation as terror bombers built up by the Nazi propaganda machine.

    Speed:  383 Kph (238 mph)
    Wingspan: 13.8m (45ft 3in)
    Length: 11m ( 36ft)
    Engine: Junkers Jumo 211Da

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