Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

The Stuka was terror from the sky during the Blitzkrieg of Europe where there was little air
opposition. Things changed with the Battle of Britain where they came up against Hurricanes
and Spitfires. The much slower Stuka didn’t have a chance against the superior speed and
agility of the fighters and suffered heavy losses. The Stukas were removed from the Western
Front and sent to the Balkans to assist the Italian Air Force fight the Greeks and Yugoslavians.
Frustrated by the inability of the Italian Air Force in North Africa to defeat a force many times
smaller in size the German Ju-87’s were assigned to do the job. Here they once again were able
to apply the tactics they had first become so well known for. Allied air power was almost non-
existent during the early stages of the North African Campaign and the Stuka was able to inflict
heavy losses on British troops and equipment. Once Allied aircraft were sent in numbers to North
Africa the Stuka once again faltered from lack of speed and their airbases had to be moved
further back from the front lines to escape the British artillery. Eventually after heavy losses the
Dora’s and other Ju-87’s were withdrawn from North Africa. The Eastern front eventually became
a shooting gallery for the Mig’s, Yak’s and numerous other Soviet planes as the Ju-87 was
recklessly thrown in to battle with the hopes of turning the fortunes of war.

Late 1940 through 1943 the Royal Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aeriene Regale ale Romaniei –
FARR) received 155 Ju-87s of variants -1, -2, -3 and -5s to replace the obsolete French and
British aircraft they had been using. The aircraft were given to the 3rd Dive Bomber Group and
also later the 6th Dive Bomber Group operated within the 3rd Bomber Flotilla. Their main task
was to provide air support for the ground troops which they did and received much praise from
the troops and the Fliegerkorps. In June 1944 the group were flying missions in support of the
Axis troops fighting on the River Mius. Then in July the 3rd Dive Bomber Group was moved to
the Kerch peninsula to provide air support for troops at the Kuban bridgehead. The Stukas were
tasked with many types of missions and within 2 to 3 months had suffered damage to 31 of the
45 aircraft they received. On August 20, 1944 Soviet forces began an offensive at Yassy (Jassy
– Jassi – Iassy) and Tiraspol in eastern Romania. The attacks by the 3rd and 6th Romanian Dive
Bomber Group managed to destroy or damage a lot of Soviet equipment but were unable to stop
their progress. On August 23, 1944 realizing that they were supporting the losing side Romanian
King Michael announced that his country had reached an armistice with the Allies and they were
about to switch sides. They now helped the Soviets liberate parts of Romania that were under
German control. By late 1944 the Romanian Air Force once again found themselves with limited
numbers of aircraft and a scarcity of spare parts so their effectiveness basically came to an end
at this time.

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

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)

Empty weight: 8,686lbs (3,940 kg)
Loaded weight: 14,550lbs (6,600 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,
Ordnance: 1x 551 lb (250 kg) or 1x 1,103 lb (500 kg)
or 1x 2205 lb (1,000 kg) bomb under fuselage, plus 4x 551 lb
(250 kg) or 2x 1103 lb (500 kg) bombs under wings. Maximum load - 3,500 lbs.

True 1/72 scale
Assembled except for optional weapons that are provided
Professionally painted
All markings are pad applied to give you the best quality.
Stand provided or display on wheels
Spinning propeller
Extensive use of metal with minimum plastic
Highly collectable

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA0155
JU 87 D-3 "Stuka"
"white 183" Royal Romanian Air Force, Jassi, 1943

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