Universally known as perhaps the most effective
dive bomber ever flown, the Stuka (a contraction
of the word “Sturzkampfflugzeug” or diving battle
aircraft) was born of a generation of aircraft ren-
dered obsolete before the advent of WWII.
Design work began in 1933, and the prototype
first flew in 1935. Tested in combat first in the
Spanish Civil War, the Stuka proved its worth.
The -B model grew out of shortcomings defined
in this conflict, and cemented the profile of the
Stuka that would terrorize a continent only a few
years later. The Stuka flew in all theaters in
WWII, enjoying great success in the early battles
in Poland Scandinavia, and Russia. Only the
Battle of Britain would humble the mighty Stuka,
showing that it couldn’t succeed against deter-
mined fighter opposition.
The Stuka has a wingspan of 45 feet 3 inches, a
length of 36 feet 3 inches, a maximum weight of
almost 9,500 pounds, and could carry a variety
of bombs to a maximum of 2,200 pounds. The
Stuka is powered by a water-cooled, 12 cylinder
iverted-vee Junkers Jumo 211engine producing
1,200 horsepower. Crew consisted of the pilot
and a gunner firing a 7.92 mm MG 15 machine
gun. Forward firepower included two 7.92 mm
MG 17 machine guns mounted in the wings.
Later models were outfitted as tank destroyers,
firing 40 mm cannons mounted in pods under
the wings.
Skyshark R/C Corporation
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Cape Coral, FL 33991, U.S.A.
Website: www.skysharkrc.com
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