Junker Ju 86
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The Junkers Ju 86 was first flown as an airliner and later converted
to a bomber, as was the case of other early German medium bombers. In
1934 the Ju 86 was one of the most advanced aircraft. The Junkers team
under Zindel built an efficient aircraft with double-wing flaps and
outward-retracting main gears. The D-1 with diesel engines was put
into service with the Luftwaffe to become the standard medium bomber.
The E-series was faster with the BMW radial engines. The K-series,
powered by Swedish Bristol engines, was the fastest of all. Forty K's
were built by Junkers, and 16 by Saab. Ju 86 first saw combat in Spain as one of the weapons tested by the Luftwaffe in the Spanish Civil War. It fulfilled its role well, but the early versions were vulnerable even to biplane fighters. Many D and E bombers fought in Poland, which was their last major operational theater. Later some converted Ju86s, designated Junkers Ju 86P, served as high-altitude bombers and reconnaissance planes over Britain and Russia. |
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Technical data and/or diagram of Junkers Ju 86. |
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Diagram and explanation of Knickebein, the tactics used by German level bombers to locate within 100 yards of their targets at night. |
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Diagram and explanation of X-Gerät, the tactics used by German level bombers to locate target at night when the Knickebein was defeated. |
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A squadron of Ju 86's getting ready for take-off. |