JU-87 Stuka

Nweeeeeewoooooooooooooooooooohh!!

The JU-87, better known as the Stuka, was the primary German Close Air Support aircraft during the second world war. The Stuka is notorious for its design and it's fearsome reputation in the early War.

Early War

Die Statistiken.

IRL

The JU-87's development goes back to the early 1930's. After testing was done on the HS 123 biplane dive bomber, the design for the Stuka could be improved upon. German studies determined that three things were needed for accurate dive bombing: High speed, a near 90 degree angle when diving, and a pilot with balls of steel. The early variants of the Stuka were planned to have a twin tail fin, but this was abandoned after an early prototype crashed when the tail sheered off during a dive.

Stukas were first blooded in Spain, where they performed admirably. The Junkers company incorporated the infamous sirens onto the bottom of the aircraft to create a loud, distinct screech that would scare the shit out of their targets and hopefully delay a reaction by AA gunners. This worked well, more or less.

The Stuka was later converted into a light transport and anti-partisan combat aircraft to reduce the need for new aircraft, and many were sent to allied countries such as Romania and Hungary. The aircraft was solid, and sunk more shipping than any other aircraft. The Stuka typically targeted stationary targets in support of Blitzkrieg, but as the war went on they more and more came to serve in the close support role. While it was somewhat dated by the end of the war, they served right up to the end of it, with the JU-87D variant.

One of the more interesting sub variants of the war was the Ju-87C, which was to be stationed on the Graf Zepplin, the Kriegsmarine Aircraft carrier. However, the opening of the eastern front, combined with the C variant's short takeoff distance made it an ideal candidate for eastern service, and was promptly rushed to the eastern front. Also of note is the Stuka G, or the "Gustav", which had two 37mm cannons for tank hunting, similar in concept to the HS-129, only less awesome.