Revell - Junkers Ju87G/D Tank Buster

After only one year of war the High Command of the German "Luftwaffe" realized that despite its great success, the Junkers Ju 87B no longer met the demands in many areas of use. Its defensive armament against enemy fighters was just as inadequate as its armor-plating against anti-aircraft fire. The lack of engine performance with only 1100 Bhp was in the meantime also indisputable. The Stuka had to be completely overhauled and was re-designated Ju 87 D-1. Difficulties with the proposed Junkers Jumo 211J-engine - a 12 Cylinder-engine with a cubic capacity of 35 Liter and 1420Bhp take-off power - led to long delays. The winter conditions there of snow, ice, airfields completely covered in mud and extremely low temperatures took a great toll on the new Stuka. The first propeller - a Heine variable pitch model with wooden blades - received cracks due to the extremes of temperature and was replaced with a Junkers VS 11 variable pitch propeller constructed of metal. Until the end of 1942 a total of 559 Ju 87D-1 were produced. By this time it was already clear that the Ju 87 could no longer be used only as a dive-bomber. Moreover it was also apparent that it should have the ability to conduct low level missions in support of ground forces. In order to do justice to this role the Ju 87D-3 was developed in Berlin and Bremen from the middle of 1943 onwards. A total of 1559 aircraft were built. It had considerably stronger armor plating around the engine and the cockpit. The propeller that was mounted on the undercarriage legs for the siren was omitted and the stubs were either removed or encased. During the course of the war the Ju 87 had been continually distanced from its original role as a dive-bomber. Attacks on armored vehicles constituting an extremely high threat to ground troops and supply units became ever more prominent.