Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA0135
Ju-87 D3 Sidi Haneish LG13
Nov. 1942 "Captured Stuka"
"Limited Edition" with a certificate

True 1/72 scale
Professionally painted unique scheme
Great attention to detail
All markings are Tampoed (pad applied)
Option to display the model on a stand that is
provided or on the landing gear
Canopy can be removed
Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic
Highly collectable

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES
NOT THE RETAIL VERSION

HA0135 Ju-87 D3 captured Stuka Sidi Haneish North Africa
Late July 1942 eighteen Jeeps with SAS members began their initial attacks on LGs (
British term -Landing Grounds) landing strips. There were a string of these strips around
Sidi Haneish 70 miles from El Alamein. During these attacks hundreds of German planes
were destroyed but some were captured with little or no damage. The 601 Squadron
became the owners of an Italian Air Force Stuka “D” from LG 13 and added RAF markings
as well as the squadron code “UF”. They used it from November 1942 until February
1943.

Junkers Ju-87D-3 Specifications

Type: Single Engined 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.

DATA FOR THE JU-87D-3
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 large and less than aerodynamic cooling radiator was removed from under the
engine cowling and replaced with two radiators, one under each wing. A much smaller
and less obtrusive oil cooler took the place of the old radiator under the engine cowling.
Even a new VS11 propeller with paddle blades was installed which further enhanced the
Dora’s performance. They also improved on other features to make the new model more
aerodynamic. Previous versions had a canopy that was pretty much the same shape and
width along its entire length. The “D” version now had the slimmer greenhouse canopy
that tapered from the pilot portion back. This tapering wasn’t a real big hit with the rear
gunners as it meant more cramped spaces for them.
There is no question that the new “D” version was going to be the main Stuka so the
Luftwaffe had a large number of versions built or planned. With over 5,000 Stukas built
by the end of 1944 the Dora was the dominant one being produced during the latter part
of WWII, more than 1500 D-3s were produced.
Some more improvements saw the rear gun go from a single drum fed MG15 to a new
twin belt fed MG81. The D-3 version was the first version to be completely designed for a
close support role. Since the plane would be facing more ground fire the armor for the
engine and crew was increased.
The landing gear was strengthened and spats were reduced in size making them a much
better shape but quite often were removed in the field as they would fill with mud
whenever the Stuka had to use a wet dirt strip to operate from and their removal didn’t
effect the performance that much. Even with the Stuka’s improved landing gear it was
prone to collapse when operated from a rough runways. One of the most notable
features of the earlier Ju-87s was removed, the sirens. Even though the D-3 was a
ground attack version it kept its dive brakes.
The tailfin was enlarged, bomb releases were made more symmetrical and the load was
increased to 1800 kg from 1100 kg and one of the new bombs that could be carried was
the 1400 kg armor piercing one that could be carried on the center line rack.
Some D-3 were converted to G-1 tank killers, some were even converted to D-4 torpedo
bombers that never did get used so they were converted back to D-3s. One of the oddest
conversions was when they experimented with personnel pods. The pods were mounted
on top of the wing, one per wing, each carrying two people. This was going to be used to
drop agents for clandestine operations, in theory the Stuka would go into a shallow dive
and deploy parachutes that would carry the cargo to a safe landing. As you can imagine
the entire proposal was rather questionable and after a few test flights with just the pods
it was determined that this was not the answer and the Ju-87 were converted back to the
regular D-3. Some D-3s were even outfitted as D-7 and D-8 for night attack missions.

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