Ju 87 D-3

Ju 87 D-3, nicknamed Stuka (deriving from Sturzkampfbomber), is a German dive bomber available as part of Battle of Stalingrad. Apart from it's main role as a tactical bomber the Ju 87 can be fitted with Bk.37 autocannons to perform close air support and anti tank roles. This option also turns the aircraft into the G-1 variant.

Gameplay
Being an outdated design the Stuka leaves a lot to be desired in terms of speed and climb performance. Because of that it is important to pick long enough flight distances to ensure you can safely reach your drop altitude. It's more effective flying in a group due to it's light bomb load and with low defensive capabilities.

Ground handling
Taxiing the Stuka is relatively easy using the wheel brakes and the tailwheel lock for going around corners. The pilot can assist the aircraft turning by pushing the stick forward and applying a burst of throttle to raise the tail up. Vise versa, if the stick is pulled back, it will help the aircraft moving straight.

Takeoff
For takeoff the tailwheel needs to be locked. Flaps are to be set to first stage. Water and Oil cooling flaps should be fully opened. Use full throttle and maximum RPM. On takeoff the aircraft wants to yaw to the left which can be countered by rudder or yaw trim. When reaching 120 km/h the tail comes up. To increase acceleration the aircraft should be kept in a level attitude. With the SC1800 bomb and full fuel the aircraft is overloaded and requires a significantly longer runway for takeoff. Once airborne, the power setting needs to be reduced to climb power to prevent engine damage. After reaching 100m altitude takeoff flaps can be retracted.

Landing
For landing speed should be reduced to 200km/h. Flaps are to be set to second stage. For approach keeping an airspeed of 180 - 200km/h is recommendable. Before starting to flare airspeed should be reduced to 160km/h.

Tactics
As a dive bomber it is important to climb to safe altitude before the attack. Typical drop altitude is 2.5 to 4km. Use dive breaks to prevent taking damage from over speeding and close your cooling flaps to prevent the engine from undercooling while in the dive. Once the bomb is dropped retract the airbrakes and use your speed to escape the drop area at low altitude. If you climb up to make a second drop be watchful for enemy fighters since you are highly vulnerable in this phase of the attack.

With the Bk.37 your role changes to close air support. Stay Below 1000m to prevent being spotted from long distance. When attacking enemy tanks aim for their side and rear armor to increase the effectiveness of your attack. Don't engage ground targets when there is active enemy AAA protecting it. It is helpful to have a mix of bomb and cannon armed Stukas to strike soft and hard targets in a combined effort.

Specifications
 Indicated stall speed in flight configuration: 137..176 km/h Indicated stall speed in takeoff/landing configuration: 123..155 km/h

Dive speed limit: 650 km/h Maximum load factor: 9 G Stall angle of attack in flight configuration: 19.9 ° Stall angle of attack in landing configuration: 18 °

Maximum true air speed at sea level, engine mode - Climb: 367 km/h Maximum true air speed at 2000 m, engine mode - Climb: 389 km/h Maximum true air speed at 6000 m, engine mode - Climb: 422 km/h

Service ceiling: 7000 m Climb rate at sea level: 8 m/s Climb rate at 3000 m: 7 m/s Climb rate at 6000 m: 2.5 m/s

Maximum performance turn at sea level: 22.2 s, at 230 km/h IAS. Maximum performance turn at 3000 m: 31.3 s, at 230 km/h IAS.

Flight endurance at 3000 m: 3.4 h, at 300 km/h IAS.

Takeoff speed: 140..170 km/h Glideslope speed: 180..195 km/h Landing speed: 125..145 km/h Landing angle: 11 °

Note 1: the data provided is for international standard atmosphere (ISA). Note 2: flight performance ranges are given for possible aircraft mass ranges. Note 3: maximum speeds, climb rates and turn times are given for standard aircraft mass. Note 4: climb rates are given for Climb power, turn times are given for Take-off power.

Engine: Model: Jumo-211J Maximum power in Take-off mode at sea level: 1420 HP Maximum power in Climb mode at sea level: 1190 HP Maximum power in Climb mode at 1500 m: 1260 HP Maximum power in Climb mode at 4900 m: 1180 HP

Engine modes: Nominal (unlimited time): 2250 RPM, 1.15 ata Climb power (up to 30 minutes): 2400 RPM, 1.25 ata Take-off power (up to 1 minute): 2600 RPM, 1.42 ata

Water rated temperature in engine output: 80 °C Water maximum temperature in engine output: 110 °C Oil rated temperature in engine output: 90 °C Oil maximum temperature in engine output: 105 °C

Supercharger gear shift altitude: automatic

Empty weight: 3930 kg Minimum weight (no ammo, 10% fuel): 4250 kg Standard weight: 4835 kg Maximum takeoff weight: 6684 kg Fuel load: 626 kg / 840 l Useful load: 2754 kg

Forward-firing armament: 2 x 7.92mm machine gun "MG 17", 1000 rounds, 1200 rounds per minute, nose-mounted 12 x 7.92mm machine gun "MG 81", 250 rounds, 1600 rounds per minute, wing-mounted (modification) 2 x 37mm gun "BK 37", 12 rounds, 160 rounds per minute, wing-mounted (modification)

Defensive armament: Backward: 2 x 7.92mm machine gun "MG 81", 500 rounds, 1600 rounds per minute

Bombs: Up to 4 x 70 kg general purpose bomb "SD 70" Up to 3 x 249 kg general purpose bombs "SC 250" 500 kg general purpose bomb "SC 500" 1090 kg general purpose bomb "SC 1000" 1780 kg general purpose bomb "SC 1800"

Length: 11 m Wingspan: 13.8 m Wing surface: 31.9 m^2

Combat debut: March 1942

Additional Configurations
 2 gun pods with 3 twin 7.92mm MG-81Z machineguns and 1500 rounds per each pod Additional mass: 369 kg Ammunition mass: 89 kg Guns mass: 280 kg Estimated speed loss: 31 km/h

2 gun pods with 37mm autocannons 3.7cm BK with 12 rounds per each Additional mass: 793 kg Ammunition mass: 31 kg Guns mass: 840 kg Estimated speed loss: 33 km/h

1780 kg General Purpose Bomb SC 1800 Additional mass: 1780 kg Ammunition mass: 1780 kg Estimated speed loss before drop: 28 km/h Estimated speed loss after drop: 0 km/h

Special impeller-actuated siren for demoralizing enemies in dive attacks Additional mass: 9 kg Estimated speed loss: 12 km/h

Additional pilot protection: armoured plates on side of cockpit and canopy Additional mass: 60 kg Estimated speed loss: 0 km/h