Junkers Ju 187
Junkers · Germany · first flew 1941 · bomber
The Junkers Ju 187 was a proposed advanced dive bomber intended to replace the Ju 87 Stuka in Luftwaffe service. It featured a retractable undercarriage and remote defensive armament but never progressed beyond the design and early development stage.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Proposed successor to the Ju 87 Stuka
- Retractable undercarriage replacing Stuka's fixed gear
- Remote-controlled rear gun barbette design
A single-engine low-wing dive bomber with a retractable undercarriage and broader wing span than the Ju 87; the remote gun barbette at the tail distinguishes it from the Stuka in illustrations.
Specifications
- The Junkers Ju 187 has a length of 11.8 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18.06 m (59 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 400 km/h (249 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Junkers began studying the Ju 187 as a Stuka successor in the early 1940s, incorporating lessons from combat experience. Key improvements included retractable landing gear, a pressurised cockpit option, and a remote-controlled rear gun to reduce crew exposure. However, the project was cancelled before a prototype flew as resources were diverted to other priorities.
Variants
The design remained at the proposal stage; no flying prototype was completed.
Where you'll see it
The Ju 187 never entered Luftwaffe service.
Related aircraft
- Junkers Ju 322
- Junkers Ju 188
- Junkers Ju 288
- Junkers Ju 290
- Avro Lancaster
- Avro Lancaster B.I
- Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress
- Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Woomera
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