Junkers Ju 86

Juncker Family History Ju 86

Before the power of the Luftwaffe was unleashed on the world during World War II (1939-1945), it carried out various secret programs to modernize and strengthen its stockpile in the prewar years. These projects often take the form of civilian products, although military intent is hidden in the requirements.

This was demonstrated in the Junkers Ju 86, a medium twin-engine aircraft developed under the guise of a 10-people aircraft, but also moving towards a medium bomber type.

In 1934 the civilian model was used to meet the requirements of the airline Deutsche Luft Hansa (1926-1945). The military model will be met by competition between rivals Junkers and Henkel - the former producing its lesser-known Ju 86 while offering its classic He 111 range (detailed elsewhere on this site).

While both were used for military service, the He 111 had a long wartime career in the Luftwaffe (and others). The two companies were contracted to produce a total of five prototypes each.

Junkers engineers feature a sleek all-metal design and low-hanging monoplane wings. The wings are moved forward to midship, and the flight deck is stepped behind and above a heavily glassed nose section. The hull became a long, tapered body that housed the various systems needed - including a bomb bay that kept its war load vertical. The tail consisted of a split vertical tail arrangement common to many large aircraft of the time.

A "tail", all-wheel landing gear was used, and only the main legs were retractable. The engines are housed in nacelles mounted along the leading edge of the wing. Power comes from two Junkers Jumo 204 series diesel engines - diesel engines designed to provide the aircraft with good fuel efficiency.

The standard armament in military form is 3 x 7.92mm MG15 machine guns - one in the nose, one in the dorsal and the last in the ventral nacelle position. The bomb load will be an internal supply of 2,200 pounds.

The diesel engine was not ready in time for the first military-grade form (Ju 86 ab1), so it was fitted with a Siemens radial engine, which marked its maiden flight on November 4, 1934. Then another military prototype (Ju 86 cb) In January and April, the first civilian prototype (Ju 86 V4) arrived - the bomb bay was replaced by a passenger cabin.

The Ju 86 Ba1 was a military transport prototype, while the Ju 86 V5 became another prototype - the basis for the Ju 86A production model.

At this time, mass production was underway, led by the Ju 86A-0, which included 13 pre-production aircraft. The Ju 86A-1 was the first bomber to enter service, while the Ju 86B-0 marked seven pre-production transport aircraft that became the Ju 86C-1 in service with Luft Hansa equipped with Junkers Jumo 205C diesel engines.

The Ju 86D-1 was a bomber variant and introduced an improved tail cone for improved stability. The Ju 86E-1 was another bomber product with two BMW 132F radial engines. The Ju 86E-2 is followed by 2 x BMW 132N Meridian.

The Ju 86G-1 featured a round glass nose, while the Ju 86E-2 was an evolution of its improved engine. The Ju 86K-1 was exported to South Africa and Sweden, and the Ju 86K-2 was exported to Hungary. Sweden also received the Ju 86K-4 based on the K-1, but with two British Bristol Pegasus III radial engines.

Sweden began local production of the Ju 86K-5, turning it into a Pegasus XII radial-engined bomber. Ju 86K-6s served Chile and Portugal, and Ju 86K-7s were sent to Austria with BMW 132 radial engines. The Ju 86K-13 is another Swedish homegrown bomber product powered by Pegasus engines.

The Ju 86P-1 was converted into a high-altitude bomber and was equipped with a Junkers Jumo 207 turbo diesel engine. The Ju 86P-2 became a dedicated photographic reconnaissance platform, retaining its bomber capabilities and powered by the same Jumo 207 diesel engines.

The Ju 86R-1 was a reconnaissance platform, also equipped with Jumo 207 engines, and the R-2 was further developed into a bomber. The Ju 86R-3 is equipped with engines from the Jumkers Jumo 208 series. Ju 86Z as a civilian export model.

The Ju 86R features Jumo 207B-3/V diesel engines producing 1,000 hp each, with a standard crew of 2 and a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) approaching 25,500 lbs. Top speed is 260 mph, range is up to 980 miles, and service is capped at 42,650 feet. The climb rate is 900 feet per minute.

Weapons included three defensively aimed MG15 machine guns and 2,200-pound bombs.

At least three Ju 86 variants were proposed, but all failed - including the Ju 186, Ju 286 and K85. The Ju 186 was a four-engine product for high-altitude bombers. The Ju 286 served a similar role, but carried a total of six engines.

The K85 is a Swedish Air Force model designed to be used as a torpedo bomber.

Like other German military products that appeared before WWII, the Ju 86 was delivered in actual war service during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The war was between fascist nationalists, backed mostly by Germans and Italians, and Republicans, led by a government mostly backed by the Soviet Union. This battlefield provided a kind of testing ground for the Luftwaffe, where both aircraft and tanks were tested in due course (as with doctrines such as "Blitzkrieg"). The first use of Ju 86 aircraft took place after February 1937, with at least two lost in German service and the remaining three aircraft eventually being handed over to the Nationalist army.

After more than two years of bloody fighting, the war ended in a decisive victory for nationalism.

Although the Ju 86 front was increasingly outdated, it was still prepared for the German invasion of neighboring Poland during the September 1939 campaign. They survived only a few months as front-line soldiers and were eventually abandoned in the early 1940s. Improved, higher-flying forms were then introduced (P-1 and P-2), which enjoyed a serviceable wartime career in mid-1942.

However, by this time their capabilities were at their peak, and there was little hope of continuing to produce the line after 1943.

The South Africans updated their Ju 86s for the war (mostly Ju 86Z models, one Ju 86K out of 18), and these aircraft played their biggest role as bombers in the North African campaign. They were eventually replaced by more modern offerings in late 1942. Imperial Japan relied on several Ju 86s for general supply transport, VIP transport and special mission services.

Some went into Air Manchukuo inventory before it was over. In the case of Sweden, it has military and civilian versions, but remains neutral throughout the conflict.

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