Junkers Ju 86 in German Service

Designed as both a bomber for the Luftwaffe and transport for Luft Hansa, the Junkers Ju 86 first flew on 4 November 1934. Four Ju 86D bombers were sent to Spain during the Civil War, where it was found that the diesel engines could not withstand rough treatment during combat. Although production switched to the E version with radial engines, it was inferior to the Heinkel He 111 and production was cut back.

By the start of the Second World War, the Ju 86 had been relegated to training units, apart from III./KG 1 “Hindenburg” which used them in Poland. During the attempt to supply surrounded German troops at Stalingrad in 1942, many Ju 86 were reallocated to transport units.

In 1940, the Luftwaffe had 40 early model Ju 86s converted to Ju 86P-1 high-altitude bombers and Ju 86P-2 photo-reconnaissance aircraft. During early 1941 the reconnaissance version flew sorties over Britain, but these stopped when Hitler invaded Russia (Operation Barbarossa). By mid-1942 the pressurized bomber version was available, and flew about a dozen nuisance raids over southern England. After the RAF mounted a special interception squadron using modified Spitfire Mk IXs, and one bomber attempting a raid on Portsmouth was intercepted on 12 September 1942, no further flights over England were attempted.

In August 1942, a modified Supermarine Spitfire Mark V shot one down over Egypt at an altitude of some 14,500 m (49,000 ft); when two more were lost, Ju 86Ps were withdrawn from service in 1943.

Prototypes

Junkers Ju 86A

The Junkers Ju 86A was the initial bomber version. It was replaced in production by the improved Ju 86D.

Junkers Ju 86A-1 33+D24 4th staffel of KG253 — Junkers Ju 86A-1

Junkers Ju 86B

Junkers Ju 86B consisted of seven pre-production transport aircraft.

Junkers Ju 86C

Six Junkers Ju 86C transport aircraft were built for Deutsche Luft Hansa, powered by two Junkers Jumo 205C diesel engines. These were taken over by the Luftwaffe during the war.

Junkers Ju 86C-1 being used by a Luftwaffe transport unit — Junkers Ju 86C-1 line drawing

Junkers Ju 86D

The Junkers Ju 86D replaced the A model in production, incorporating a modified tail cone to improve stability.

Junkers Ju 86E

The Ju 86E replaced the D in production by switching to the BMW 132 engine, production continued until 1938.

Junkers Ju 86G

The Junkers Ju 86G was a development of the Ju 86E fitted with a round glass nose.

Junkers Ju 86P

The Ju 86P-1 was a high-altitude bomber version, fitted with two Jumo 207 diesel engines and with turbochargers. The P-2 was fitted for high-altitude photo reconnaissance, but was still equipped for bombing.

Junkers Ju 86P-2 — Junkers Ju 86P-1 line drawing

Junkers Ju 86R

The Junkers Ju 86R was a high-altitude bomber/photo reconnaissance development of the P version. Initially it retained the Jumo 207 engines, but these were later replace by the Jumo 208. Only prototypes of this variant were built.