Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA0129
German Ju-87-D3, StG. 3
Geschwaderkommodore Walter Sigel, Libya, 1942
|
HOBBY MASTER
1/72 DIE-CAST GERMAN
Ju-87 STUKA:
Die-cast metal.
Minimum amount of plastic.
Professionally painted.
Fully assembled.
Markings are tampo
applied not decals.
Rubber rolling wheels.
Free spinning propeller.
Display stand included.
Canopy can be removed
to reveal interior.
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.
History of Walter Sigel
Gruppenkommandeur Hauptmann Walter Sigel
116th recipient of the Knight’s Cross July 7, 1940 and awarded Oak Leaves on Sept 2 1942.
In the small Polish city of Wielun, September 1 1939, 4:50 – 5:30 am German bombers of I.
/KG76 (4. Luftflotte) dropped their bombs and then proceeded to machine gun the fleeing
citizens. A total of 120 aircraft took part in the attack that came in three waves. It is estimated
over 70 tons of bombs were dropped killing more than 1,200 civilians out of the total
population of 16,000. Thousands more were injured and nearly 70% of the city structures lay
in ruin. Some say the Luftwaffe operated using professional military code of conduct dating
back to WWI but many Polish stories contradict this. The closest Polish military forces were
situated outside the city to the southwest, not in the city and this is what makes this conflict
so controversial. The Luftwaffe bombers were commanded by the then Oberstleutnant
Walter Sigel. Stories of this attack would follow Sigel for the rest of his life.
After the “Battle of Britain” Sigel’s Gruppe was transferred to Sicily and from there to North
Africa where from February 1941 – April 1943 it flew in support of German forces. After
Oberstleutnant Karl Christ (Kommodore: April 1st 1941 - February 1942) relinquished
command of StG3 to Oberstleutnant Walter Sigel (Kommodore March 1st 1942 - April 1st:
1943), St.G. 3 became a combination of several Gruppen that had used unit codes - 2F, S1,
A5 and T6 but became one -- S7. February 1941 towards April 1943 it flew in support of the
German forces in Africa. Early in April 1944 the Geschwader (wing) was transferred to the
Eastern Front and stayed in the northern and central sectors until the wars end. Walter Sigel
didn’t go to the Eastern Front instead he transferred to Norway to serve as Fliegerfuhrer
(theater commander). On May 8 1944 Sigel was on an inspection flight over a fjord near
Trondheim when his light Storch plane struck a power line killing him. At the time of his
death it is estimated that Sigel had flown over 300 sorties. Killer or great pilot and leader,
Sigel will be the subject of history buffs for many years to come.
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.
THESE ARE ONLY PRE-PRODUCTION
PICTURES NOT THE FINISHED MODEL
|
|
