| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Propeller Powered) HA0131 - German Ju-87-D3, 'S7+CL' 3./StG3 Gambut/Libya, Nov. 1942 |
The Stuka was terror from the sky during the Blitzkrieg of Europe where there was little air opposition.
Things changed with the Battle of Britain where they came up against Hurricanes and Spitfires. The much
slower Stuka didn’t have a chance against the superior speed and agility of the fighters and suffered heavy
losses. The Stukas were removed from the Western Front and sent to the Balkans to assist the Italian Air
Force fight the Greeks and Yugoslavians. Frustrated by the inability of the Italian Air Force in North Africa
to defeat a force many times smaller in size the German Ju-87’s were assigned to do the job. Here they
once again were able to apply the tactics they had first become so well known for. Allied air power was
almost non-existent during the early stages of the North African Campaign and the Stuka was able to inflict
heavy losses on British troops and equipment. Once Allied aircraft were sent in numbers to North Africa
the Stuka once again faltered from lack of speed and their airbases had to be moved further back from the
front lines to escape the British artillery. Eventually after heavy losses the Dora’s and other Ju-87’s were
withdrawn from North Africa. The 3./StG 3 and others would never again be able to freely roam the skies in
search of victims. The Eastern front eventually became a shooting gallery for the Mig’s, Yak’s and
numerous other Russian planes as the Ju-87 was recklessly thrown in to battle with the hopes of turning the
fortunes of war.
The 3./StG. 3 was the first group to receive the new Dora’s and as this model depicts had an all tan desert
camouflage paint scheme. This is what the aircraft looked like in November 1942 just a few months after
the German defeat at El Alamein and the group's removal from North Africa.
Things changed with the Battle of Britain where they came up against Hurricanes and Spitfires. The much
slower Stuka didn’t have a chance against the superior speed and agility of the fighters and suffered heavy
losses. The Stukas were removed from the Western Front and sent to the Balkans to assist the Italian Air
Force fight the Greeks and Yugoslavians. Frustrated by the inability of the Italian Air Force in North Africa
to defeat a force many times smaller in size the German Ju-87’s were assigned to do the job. Here they
once again were able to apply the tactics they had first become so well known for. Allied air power was
almost non-existent during the early stages of the North African Campaign and the Stuka was able to inflict
heavy losses on British troops and equipment. Once Allied aircraft were sent in numbers to North Africa
the Stuka once again faltered from lack of speed and their airbases had to be moved further back from the
front lines to escape the British artillery. Eventually after heavy losses the Dora’s and other Ju-87’s were
withdrawn from North Africa. The 3./StG 3 and others would never again be able to freely roam the skies in
search of victims. The Eastern front eventually became a shooting gallery for the Mig’s, Yak’s and
numerous other Russian planes as the Ju-87 was recklessly thrown in to battle with the hopes of turning the
fortunes of war.
The 3./StG. 3 was the first group to receive the new Dora’s and as this model depicts had an all tan desert
camouflage paint scheme. This is what the aircraft looked like in November 1942 just a few months after
the German defeat at El Alamein and the group's removal from North Africa.
True 1/72 scale
Assembled except for
optional weapons that are
provided
Professionally painted
All markings are pad
applied to give you the best
quality.
Comes with Swastikas
applied (outside Germany)
Stand provided or display
on wheels
Spinning propeller
Extensive use of metal with
minimum plastic
Highly collectable
Assembled except for
optional weapons that are
provided
Professionally painted
All markings are pad
applied to give you the best
quality.
Comes with Swastikas
applied (outside Germany)
Stand provided or display
on wheels
Spinning propeller
Extensive use of metal with
minimum plastic
Highly collectable
| THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES THE RETAIL VERSION WILL BE MORE REFINED |
| 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. |
| The application of swastikas to these Hobby Master models is strictly for historical accuracy and in no way is meant to promote or condone the Nazis, their philosophy or actions. This statement also holds true for the owner of this site. |
