[Black 6]

While searching for a pic of a Ju-87D with the radio direction finder I cam across this odd version of the plane. Has anyone heard of, or seen, a transport version of the Ju-87?

Think it has a chance to make it to our shelves as the next HM Stuka?

[Cardinal]

Now that is one of THE ugliest Stukas I've ever seen - is it for real?

[DCRanger]

It's a JU 87D-3 fitted with two overwing personnel pods each carrying two men. The glazed pannels are to assist the pilot with sideways vision. It was intended for use landing agents behind allied lines but was not put into service.

[wmosner]

Project was never successful and cancelled after testing. Containers held 2 men and were dropped by parachute.

I have looked at numerous pictures and can find none showing the DF behind the gunner. Have plenty of line drawings showing the finder but they do not say if it was covered by glass or metal.

[planenuts]

It is a Ju 87D-3. It used jettisonable parachute equipped containers, capable of carrying two tandemly seated passengers and were faired into the wing. If they had proven successful they would have been used for clandestine agent dropping and night supply flights.Problems were encountered , including proper release of the pods and the project was dropped.

[DCRanger]

According to my book the pods were non-jettisonable

[planenuts]

Originally Posted by DCRanger

According to my book the pods were non-jettisonable

one book I have says they were jettisonable. Another says they were not jettisonable. And yet another says they tested them to be jettisonable but could not get them to release correctly. Take your pick....

[DCRanger]

I'll take the first option. Getting rid of two objects that shape and size simultaneously would be nigh on impossible I would have thought.

[planenuts]

Originally Posted by DCRanger

I'll take the first option. Getting rid of two objects that shape and size simultaneously would be nigh on impossible I would have thought.

The only thing I can say is if they did test them to jettison I wouldn't want to be the test pilot!

[planenuts]

I found another reference that says they wanted them to be jettisonable in an emergency.