Junkers Ju 287

Juncker Family History Ju 287

The Junkers Ju 287 certainly proved to be the most unique of the post-war jet engine designs approved for the German state - now fighting the war on multiple fronts. Originally designed as a high-speed heavy bomber, the aircraft eschewed the traditional thinking of earlier Germans, which favored light-to-medium bomber programs - although the emphasis was still on fast bombers at this time.

In fact, the Luftwaffe used a limited number of four-engine bombers during the war, which proved to be a strategic and tactical limitation throughout 1944-45.

Hans Wocke worked for Junkers and in 1943 proposed a forward-swept wing concept for a fast jet bomber capable of outmaneuvering all known enemy air defenses - including interceptors and land Base Artillery Network. Walker believes that the use of forward-swept wings will increase high-speed mass and improve low-speed handling compared to the often-used straight-wing jet-powered designs.

The design of the Ju 287 was led by Ernst Zindel.

The new Junkers product was conceived in a working prototype, and in order to speed up its development, entire components were borrowed from existing aircraft. The front wheels were from the United B-24 Liberator heavy bomber, while the main wheels were from the Junkers Ju 352 Hercules.

Junkers Ju 388 "Stortebeker" heavy fighters formed a large part of the tail, while the fuselage was from Heinkel He 177 "Grief" heavy bombers.

On August 16, 1944, the first V1 prototype took to the air for the first time under the control of Captain Siegfried Holzbauer. Propulsion is provided by four Junkers Jumo 004B-1 jet engines - one under each wing and one on each side of the forward fuselage. This had to be complemented by 4 Walter 109-501 rocket pods that were added to each jet unit to achieve the required take-off thrust.

The rocket pod was discarded after running out of fuel.

The V1 achieved some developmental success in its short flight time, completing as many as 17 flights. Reported values ??include a top speed of 350 mph, a cruising speed of 320 mph, a range of up to 975 miles, and a service ceiling of 30,850 feet. The rate of climb is measured at 1,900 feet per minute. The plane weighs 27,560 pounds empty and 44,100 pounds when fully loaded. Dimensions include a wingspan of 66 feet, a fuselage length of 60 feet, and a height of 15 feet 5 inches.

Due to operating altitude and speed, the Ju 287 will use a pressurized crew compartment (two people) and an ejection seat.

Proposed armament includes up to 8,800 lb built-in artillery and an unknown defensive artillery piece in a rear-facing remote-controlled turret.

Despite the Ju 287's promise, the program slowed and the German Aviation Ministry (RLM) lost interest in the high-speed jet bomber. It wasn't until March 1945 that RLM knew what it had and arranged to order serial production of the Ju 287. Over time, V2 and V3 prototypes were added, and the V2 was envisioned as a 6 x Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojet.

However, the war ended quickly in May 1945, and the two ships entered an early stage of construction before being taken over by advancing Soviet forces.

The Ju 287 project continued to some extent in the Soviet Union in the immediate postwar years, until 1947 as the GOZ-1 "OKB-1 EF 131", based on the proposed V3 prototype.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes