Hobby Master HA0133 | Junkers Ju 87D-3 " Stuka" Luftwaffe T6+EK, Eastern Front, WW2

Because of the slow development of new attack aircraft Germany decided to improve what they already had, the Ju-87. The new and improved version was much more streamlined with an increase of power, so in 1942 all this gave birth to the Dora (D version) with a 1,400 hp Jumo 211 J or P engine. The new “D” version was going to be the main Stuka with over 5,000 Stukas built the Dora was the dominant one with more than 1500 D-3s were produced.

The Aircraft:

The early winter camo scheme was used by units equipped with the Stuka G variant. It was a white wash applied over the standard summer paint scheme with no standard pattern being used. The Soviet summer offensives was driving the Germans back into Central Ukraine and from August 1943 until October 1943 II./StG 2 had suffered 8 losses. One of the Stukas, T6+EK was piloted by 21 year old Friedrich “Fritz” Reissner who shot down by Anti Aircraft fire on April 27, 1943 just east of Krimskaja, Soviet Union.

Junkers Ju-87D-3 Specifications
Type: Single Engine Medium Bomber
Power Plant: 1 X 1,440hp Junkers Jumo 211J, 12 cylinder in line, water cooled
Empty weight: 8,686lbs (3,940 kg) Loaded weight: 14,550lbs (6,600 kg)
Bomb Load: 3 x 960lb (436 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 
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) 
Ordnance: 1x 551 lb (250 kg) or 1x 1103 lb (500 kg) or 1x 2205 lb (1000 kg) bomb under fuselage, plus 4x 551 lb (250 kg) or 2x 1103 lb (500 kg) bombs under wings. Maximum load of 3,500 lbs.