Junkers Ju 86 in German Service

Junkers Ju 86P-1

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Mark V shot one down over Egypt at an altitude of some 14,500 m (49,000 ft); when two more were lost, Ju 86Ps were withdrawn from service in 1943.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

Junkers Ju 86Z

The Junkers Ju 86Z was the designation for civil export models. Several were impressed into Luftwaffe service.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Nose Art Page 2

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Queen Mae

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Nose Art Page 2

Old Hickory

Old Hickory was a 380th Bomb Group 530th Bomb Squadron s/n 42-40827. It was written off on 1 March 1944  after a crash landing at Fenton, Australia.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Old Hockory
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Old Hockory

Our Gal III

Our Gal III a Consolidated B-24J-90-CO s/n 42-100313 of the 5th AF, 22nd BG, 33rd BS

Consolidated B-24J-90-CO Our Gal III s/n 42-100313 of the 5th AF, 22BG, 33BS
Consolidated B-24J-90-CO Our Gal III s/n 42-100313 of the 5th AF, 22BG, 33BS

Peace Offering

Consolidated B-24M-10-FO, s/n 44-50811, Peace Offering of the 529th BS 380th BG, Okinawa, 1945.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Peace Offering
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Peace Offering

Pistol Packin’ Mama

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Pistol Packin Mama
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Pistol Packin’ Mama

Pleasure Bent

Consolidated B-24J-75-CO Liberator s/n 42-100157 Pleasure Bent. Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG) “Red Raiders”, 2nd Bombardment Squadron (2nd BS). On April 18, 1945 during on a bombing mission against Toyohara, this aircraft was hit by flak. After a forced landing with two engines out, she was condemned and later scrapped.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Pleasure Bent
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Pleasure Bent

Pug

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Pug
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Pug

Queen Mae

Queen Mae was a Consolidated B-24J 155-CO s/n 44-40314 319th Bomb Squadron, 90th Bomb Group. The aircraft survived the war and was scrapped in the Philippines

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Queen Mae
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Queen Mae

Rangy Lil

Consolidated B-24M-5-CO Liberator Rangy Lil s/n 44-41867 of the 529BS, 380BG, 5th AF

Consolidated B-24M-5-CO Liberator Rangy Lil s/n 44-41867 of the 529BS, 380BG, 5th AF
Consolidated B-24M-5-CO Liberator Rangy Lil s/n 44-41867 of the 529BS, 380BG, 5th AF
Consolidated B-24M-5-CO Liberator Rangy Lil
Consolidated B-24M-5-CO Liberator Rangy Lil

Road to Tokyo

Road to Tokyo a Consolidated B-24J s/n 44-40400 of the 90BG, 319BS, 5th Air Force

Road to Tokyo Crew of Consolidated B-24J s/n 44-40400 - 90BG, 319BS, 5th Air Force - Pacific Theater circa 1944
Road to Tokyo Crew of Consolidated B-24J s/n 44-40400 – 90BG, 319BS, 5th Air Force – Pacific Theater circa 1944

Sandra Kay

Consolidated B-24D-155-CO Sandra Kay s/n 42-72790 of the 380 BG 530 BS. Delivered to the USAAF on 31 July 1943. Flew 89 missions from Australia and New Guinea with another 34 from the Philippines for a total of 123. Written off on 19 May 1945 after a crash landing at Mindoro in the Philippines.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sandra Kay
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sandra Kay

She ‘Asta

Consolidated B-24D-65-CO of the 380BG 530BS. Transferred to the RAAF as A72-5 on 3 March 1944. She’ Asta flew 28 missions before her transfer.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator She'Asta
Consolidated B-24 Liberator She’Asta
Consolidated B-24 Liberator She'Asta
Consolidated B-24 Liberator She’Asta

Shootin’ Star

Consolidated B-24J-25-CO Shootin’ Star s/n 42-73249 of the 308 BG 374 BS 14th Air Force. Shootin’ Star was lost on 12 January 1945 to friendly fire when shot down by three Vought Corsairs.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Shootin Star
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Shootin Star

Six Bitts

Consolidated B-24J-80-CO Liberator s/n 42-100214 Six Bitts of the 380BG / 529BS. She flew 100 missions, 56 from Australia with another 44 from The Philippines.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Six Bitts
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Six Bitts

Sleepy Time Gal

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sleepy Time Gal
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sleepy Time Gal

Snow Job II

Consolidated B-24J Liberator Snow Job II s/n 44-40572 of the 5BG 31BS. The plane was lost on January 10, 1945 while returning from a bombing mission in the Philippines.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Snow Job
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Snow Job II

Squeeze

Consolidated B-24M Liberator Squeeze s/n 44-42020 of the 308BG, 374BS. The camel mission tally indicates a mission over the “Hump” or Himalayas supplying the Chinese.

Consolidated B-24M Liberator Squeeze s/n 44-42020 of the 308BG, 374BS
Consolidated B-24M Liberator Squeeze s/n 44-42020 of the 308BG, 374BS

Sweet Revenge

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sweet Revenge s/n 42-52648 of the 484BG, 15th Air Force

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sweet Revenge s/n 42-52648 of the 484BG, 15th Air Force
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sweet Revenge s/n 42-52648 of the 484BG, 15th Air Force

The Bitch’s Sister

Consolidated B-24J Liberator The Bitch’s Sister 308BG 375BS, 14th Air Force

Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Bitch's Sister 308BG, 14th Air Force
Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Bitch’s Sister 308BG, 14th Air Force

The Carrier Pigeon

Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Carrier Pigeon s/n 42-51451 of the 389BG 564BS coded YO-M

Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Carrier Pigeon s/n 42-51451 of the 389BG 564BS coded YO-M
Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Carrier Pigeon s/n 42-51451 of the 389BG 564BS coded YO-M

The Horrible Monster

Consolidated B-24J-175-CO Liberator The Horrible Monster of the 864th BS, 494th BG, 7th AF

Consolidated B-24J-175-CO Liberator The Horrible Monster of the 864th BS, 494th BG, 7th AF
Consolidated B-24J-175-CO Liberator The Horrible Monster of the 864th BS, 494th BG, 7th AF

The Red Ass

Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Red Ass
Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Red Ass

The Thunder Mug

Consolidated B-24H Liberator s/n 41-28750 The Thunder Mug 467BG 789BS

Consolidated B-24H Liberator s/n 41-28750 The Thunder Mug 467BG 789BS
Consolidated B-24H Liberator s/n 41-28750 The Thunder Mug 467BG 789BS

Toonerville Trolley

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Toonerville Trolley of the 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron, s/n 42-50731 coded HP-Y

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Toonerville Trolley of the 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron, s/n 42-50731 coded HP-Y
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Toonerville Trolley of the 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron, s/n 42-50731 coded HP-Y

Unknown

Japanese Battleship Nagato

Nagato seen in October 1944

Japanese Battleship Nagato

Commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy on 25 November 1920, Nagato was the lead ship of her class of battleships. Her sister Mutsu was commissioned a year later.

Nagato was modernised from 1934-36, with increased armour, updated machinery and the rebuilding of her superstructure into a pagoda mast.

During World War Two, she did not see combat until the Battle of the Philippine Sea in mid-1944, where she escorted the aircraft carriers Jun’yō, Hiyō and the light carrier Ryūhō. During the battle, she provided anti-aircraft fire, claiming to have shot down two Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers.

During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Nagata formed part of the Center Force which planned to attack the American invasion force. During the initial the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea on 24 October, she was hit by two bombs one of which damaged the air intake to No. 1 boiler room, immobilizing one propeller shaft for 24 minutes until the boiler was put back online. On the morning of 25 October, Center Force sighted Taffy 3 and opened fire on the escort carriers, although Nagato did not achieve any hits.

At 06:54 the destroyer USS Heermann fired a spread of torpedoes at the fast battleship Haruna; the torpedoes missed Haruna and headed for Yamato and Nagato which were on a parallel course. The two battleships were forced 10 miles (16 km) away from the engagement before the torpedoes ran out of fuel. On turning back, Nagato fired forty-five 410 mm and ninety-two 14 cm shells but due to poor visibility claimed only two hits on a cruiser. At 09:10, the Japanese turned away and broke engagement.

On her return to Japan, Nagato was converted to an anti-aircraft platform, as the lack of fuel did not permit her to sortie again. Despite US Navy air attacks, she survived the war and was then expended as a target in US atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll.

Nagato in Service

Nagato Post-War

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