Junkers ju87 d5 stuka 1:35 border model bf012

Plastic model airplane to assemble: Junkers Ju87 D5 Stuka 1:35 Border Model BF012

The Junkers Ju 87, commonly known as the "Stuka," is a German dive bomber and ground-attack aircraft designed by Hermann Pohlmann. Its first flight took place in 1935, and its combat debut occurred in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, where it served in the Luftwaffe's Condor Legion. This aircraft was used by Axis forces throughout World War II, from 1939 to 1945.

The Stuka is easily recognizable due to its distinctive gull-wing design and fixed landing gear with fairings. Air-driven sirens, officially called "Lärmgerät" (noise device), were mounted on the leading edges of the covered landing gear legs, which became a propaganda symbol of German air power and the so-called Blitzkrieg victories from 1939 to 1942. The Stuka's design included several innovations, including automatic dive brakes under the wings that ensured the aircraft could recover from a dive attack even if the pilot lost consciousness due to high G-forces or focus on the target.

The Ju 87 achieved significant success in the close support and anti-ship roles early in World War II. It played a key role in air attacks during the invasion of Poland in September 1939. Stukas were crucial for the rapid conquest of Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France in 1940. Despite its durability, accuracy, and effectiveness against ground targets, the Stuka was, like many other dive bombers of the period, vulnerable to fighter attacks. During the Battle of Britain from 1940 to 1941, its lack of maneuverability, speed, and defensive armament meant it required heavy fighter escort to operate effectively.

After the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe deployed Stuka units in the Balkan campaign, in the African and Mediterranean theaters, and in the early stages of the war on the Eastern Front, where it was used for general ground support, as an effective anti-tank specialist, and in the anti-ship role. As the Luftwaffe lost air superiority, the Stuka became an easy target for enemy fighters, but it continued to be produced until 1944 due to a lack of better alternatives. By 1945, Focke-Wulf Fw 190 ground-attack versions largely replaced the Ju 87, but it remained in service until the end of the war in 1945.

The Germans built around 6,000 Ju 87s in all versions between 1936 and August 1944. Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel became the most decorated Stuka pilot and the most decorated German pilot of the war.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. To assemble, separately sold modeling tools are needed (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.