| HOBBY MASTER COLLECTOR |
| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Propeller Powered) HA0113 - JU-87 D-3 2./SG 2. 'Immelmann" Pervomaisk, Ukraine, Jan., 1944 |
HOBBY MASTER
1/72 DIE-CAST GERMAN Ju-87 STUKA:
The third installment of the highly
successful Hobby Master’s Air Power
Series of Ju-87 Stukas is this “D-3”
version that belonged to the 2./2SG
Immelmann ( 2nd squadron/ 2nd Stuka
Air Wing “Immelmann”). Flawlessly
painted in a winter scheme, it represents
what the actual plane would have looked
like on the Eastern Front during the
winter of 1943-44. It comes with a full
complement of weapons from the huge
bomb under the fuselage to the pair of
smaller bombs under each wing.
Meticulously detailed with rolling rubber
wheels, a propeller that can spin, pad
applied markings and all this on a heavy
model with lots of metal.
1/72 DIE-CAST GERMAN Ju-87 STUKA:
The third installment of the highly
successful Hobby Master’s Air Power
Series of Ju-87 Stukas is this “D-3”
version that belonged to the 2./2SG
Immelmann ( 2nd squadron/ 2nd Stuka
Air Wing “Immelmann”). Flawlessly
painted in a winter scheme, it represents
what the actual plane would have looked
like on the Eastern Front during the
winter of 1943-44. It comes with a full
complement of weapons from the huge
bomb under the fuselage to the pair of
smaller bombs under each wing.
Meticulously detailed with rolling rubber
wheels, a propeller that can spin, pad
applied markings and all this on a heavy
model with lots of metal.
History of 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 it’s 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 tail fin 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.
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.
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 it’s 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 tail fin 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.
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.
