Highly Technological Advanced AC of the Luftwaffe
Junkers Ju 287
This aircraft was designed
by Dipl. Ing. Hans Wocke, who introduced forward swept wings for better low
speed handling and lift and good handling at high altitude.
| The first prototype, Ju 287 V1, was built
up of different existing aircraft spares. Only the wings were specially
built. It was powered by four Jumo 004 turbine jet engines. Two
engines were fitted to the sides of the forward fuselage and two were slung
beneath the wings. It was flown for the first time on August 16, 1944 bu FlugKapitän Siegfried Holtzbauer. The test flight proved Wocke's theories to be correct. They also established that the engines should be mounted to the forward part of the wings for better high-speed performance. The Ju 287 V2 was fitted with a cluster of three engines mounted on the forward part of each wing. It also had retractable landing gear. The V3 and A-0 (production version) had the
same engine arrangement as the V1. Full production status was never reached,
because the factories was overrun by Allied forces. |
 |
Specifications
(Manufacturer's estimated figures)
| Type | Three-seat Heavy bomber |
| Power Plants | Six BMW 003A-1 Sturm axial-flow turbo-jets each rated at 1,760 lb.s.t |
| Armament | Defensive : Twin 13mm MG 131 machine guns in remotely controlled
tail barbette Offensive : Maximum internal bomb load of 8,800 lb |
| Performance | Maximum speed at sea level (at 35,400 lb) : 509 mph Maximum speed at 16,400 ft (at 35,400 lb) : 537 mph Maximum speed at 36,100 ft (at 35,400 lb) : 487 mph Maximum cruising speed at sea level : 447 mph Maximum cruising speed at 23,000 ft : 493 mph Range with 8,800 lb bomb load : 985 mls Range with 6,600 lb bomb load : 1,175 mls Range with 4,400 lb bomb load : 1,325 mls Time to 19,700 ft : 10.5 min Time to 32,800 ft : 33 min |
| Weights | Empty equipped : 26,278 lb Maximum loaded : 47,398 lb |
| Dimensions | Span : 65 ft 11 3/4 in Length : 61 ft 1/4 in Wing area : 656.598 sq. ft |
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