Second World War Archives - Page 13 of 38

Junkers Ju 86 in Swedish Service

Junkers Ju 86 in Swedish Service

Sweden ordered 40 Junkers Ju 86 bombers which were delivered from 1936 to 1938. They were designated Ju 86K by Junkers and operated as the B3 by the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet). SAAB obtained a licence to produce an additional 40 aircraft, of which 16 would be from parts supplied by Junkers. However, only 16 were built before it was decided to terminate production to speed up production of the B5 (Northrop 8A).

During their service the JU 86Ks received engine upgrades to improve performance. They finished their service operating as transports with the last one being retired in 1957.

One Ju 86Z-7 was delivered to AB Aerotransport (ABA) for use as a mail carrier. It was later transferred to the Air Force where it was designated Tp9.

Junkers Ju 86 in Spanish Service

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Junkers Ju 86 in Spanish Service

The German manned Condor Legion trialed four Junkers Ju 86D-1 bombers in Spain from February 1937. After flying several missions, one was shot down by Republican fighters. A replacement for the lost bomber was sent from Germany. However, two of the Ju 86s were lost in landing accidents resulting in the last two being sold to the Spain Nationalists. These were operated until at least the end of the Spanish Civil War.

Junkers Ju 86 in South African Service

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Junkers Ju 86 in South African Service

South African Airways ordered 17 Junkers Ju 86 airliners with the first arriving at the end of 1936. The first five aircraft were powered by Rolls Royce Kestrel engines and designated Ju 86Z-3. The airline raised concerns that these engines were unsuitable and the remaining aircraft used the Pratt and Whitney Hornet radial engines and were designated as Ju 86Z-7.

The South African Air Force also took delivery of a sole Junkers Ju 86K-1.

When war broke out, the planes were militarised and armed as bombers with defensive guns and external bomb racks. These aircraft were initially used for coastal patrols along with the sole Ju 86K-1, playing an important role in the interception of the German blockade runner SS Watussi in December 1939. In May 1940, they were used to re-equip No. 12 Squadron SAAF, which was deployed in the East African Campaign from June 1940. It flew its first bombing missions on 14 June 1940. As more modern aircraft became available, the South African Ju 86s were passed from squadron to squadron, seeing their last use with No. 22 Squadron SAAF, which used it along with the Avro Anson in the coastal reconnaissance role, finally retiring its Ju 86s in September 1942.