The Junkers Ju 87 Stuka was a German dive-bomber and ground-attack aircraft used by the Luftwaffe in World War II. The Stuka was designed by Hermann Pohlmann and first flew in 1935. It was known for its distinctive inverted gull wing arrangement, fixed undercarriage spats, and wind-driven sirens mounted on the landing gear. The Stuka's design also included automatic controls for the engine and propeller to optimize the aircraft during a dive, and an automatic dive recovery system to protect the crew from g-forces.
The Stuka was a significant threat to British forces during the Battle of Britain, but its inferior speed and maneuverability compared to single-seat fighters meant that it was ultimately restricted to hitting static targets where the Luftwaffe enjoyed air superiority. The Stuka was also slow, with a top speed of about 230 mph (and a cruising speed of 160 mph), making it the slowest operational aircraft in the Battle.
The Stuka's crew consisted of a pilot and a navigator/radio operator behind him who also handled the rear machine gun. The Stuka could drop 500 kg of bombs, and some were modified as attack aircraft against tanks. More than 6,500 Stukas were made during the war. (Replica, Dive Bomber)