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Junkers Ju 87 D-5 Stuka, the in-game model
1943GermanyDive bomber

Junkers Ju 87 D-5 Stuka

The Ju 87 D was the version of the Stuka with the more powerful Jumo 211J, more armour and a redesigned cowling. After its losses over Britain, the Stuka went on serving in ground support where there was air superiority, above all on the Eastern Front. On the D-5 the wingtips were extended and two 20 mm cannon replaced the wing machine guns.

A strengthened Stuka

On the D the cowling and radiators were redesigned, the cockpit got a cleaner canopy and armour for the pilot and gunner was increased. The rear gunner got the fast-firing twin MG 81Z. Thanks to the stronger engine, the Ju 87 D could carry much heavier bombs than the B.

Junkers Ju 87 D-5 Stuka, side view
Junkers Ju 87 D-5 Stuka: the in-game model from the side.

On the Eastern Front

The Ju 87 D became one of the main aircraft supporting the ground forces on the Eastern Front, attacking bridges, tank columns, artillery and railways. As air superiority was lost, daylight losses rose, and many Ju 87 Ds went to night attack units with flame-damped exhausts. It was gradually replaced by fighter-bomber versions of the Fw 190.

In WarSimBox

In the game it is a dive bomber. Like the B, it dives at about 75 degrees and releases at about 650 m; it is better armoured, better armed with its 20 mm wing cannon and better defended with the twin MG 81Z in the rear. It is still slow and needs an escort.

Unlocked in the aircraft tree after researching Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless. Leads on to: Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldiver.

Top speed
411 km/h · 4,000 m
Climb
8 m/s
Sustained turn
23.3 s
Stall speed
143 km/h

These figures come from the game’s flight model (climb, turn and stall at sea level).

Fly it in WarSimBox