Germany's Junkers Ju 90 and Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance

Photos

Junkers Ju 90V-7 reconnaissance, prototype:


Junkers Ju 90 reconnaissance:


Junkers Ju 90 reconnaissance:


Junkers Ju 90 transport:

Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook

Junkers Ju 90 transport:

Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook

Junkers Ju 90A reconnaissance:


Junkers Ju 90B-1 reconnaissance:


Junkers Ju 90B-1 reconnaissance:

Junkers Ju 90C reconnaissance:


Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance:


Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance:

Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook

Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance:

Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook

Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance, captured by the United States:


Junkers Ju 290A-5 reconnaissance:


Junkers Ju 290B-1 reconnaissance, under attack:


Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance:

Design

The Junkers Ju 90 was a transport plane that were to be used by Lufthansa and the South African Airways.¹ It was developed in 1936 to meet an Air Ministry specification for a long range bomber.³ The Junkers Ju 90 was an all metal aircraft with low wings.³

The Junkers Ju 290 was basically an armed Ju 90 that was designed in 1940.¹ The Ju 290 was also bigger than the Ju 90.¹ The Ju 290 was touted as a replacement for the Fw 200 Condor.² However it was never produced in enough quantities to replace the Condor.²

In 1943 the Fw 200 was needing to be replaced quickly.³ The Ju 290 had additional armament installed.³ Radio equipment and radar were also added.³ This became the Ju 290 A-2.³

Fuselage

There was a gondola that contained a 20 mm MG 151 and 13 mm MG 131.¹

There was a Trapoklappe, a hydraulically operated ramp, that was in the rear fuselage and could be opened in flight or if used on the ground could lift the plane for loading.¹

Undercarriage

The Ju 290 had very sturdy undercarriage.¹

The Ju 390 had two additional undercarriage units due to its size.¹

Fuel Carriers

In early 1944 some of the Ju 290s were modified to carry 6,000 gallons of fuel.³

Prototype

The Ju 290V1 prototype first flew in early 1939 / August 1942³.²

The Ju 290A-0 pre production model first flew in 1941.²

Production

Approximately 40 Ju 290s were produced with half being built by Letov in Czechoslovakia.¹

In late 1944 construction was terminated.²

• Junkers Ju 290 Prototype: 1²
• Junkers Ju 290A-0: 2²
• Junkers Ju 290A-1: 5²
• Junkers Ju 290A-2: 3²
• Junkers Ju 290A-3: 3²
• Junkers Ju 290A-4: 5²
• Junkers Ju 290A-2, Junkers Ju 290A-3, Junkers Ju 290A-4: 13³
• Junkers Ju 290A-5: 29²
• Junkers Ju 290A-6: 1²
• Junkers Ju 290A-7: 12², 13³
• Junkers Ju 290A-8: 1²
• Junkers Ju 290A-9: 3^2,3
• Junkers Ju 290B: 1²
• Junkers Ju 290: 66²
  • Manufacturer: Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke A.G.³

Variants

• Junkers Ju 90: Transport.¹
• Junkers Ju 90 V8: First prototype to be armed.¹
• Junkers Ju 90 V1: Prototype lost in accident in February 1938.¹
• Junkers Ju 90 V3: Prototype lost in 1938.¹
• Junkers Ju 90 V5: This prototype, D-ABDG, was modified to become the Ju 290.³
• Junkers Ju 90S: Schwer (heavy).² Carried 40 passengers.²
• Junkers Ju 290: Maritime reconnaissance.¹
• Junkers Ju 290V1: Prototype.² Based on Ju 90 with a new wing.² Used BMW 801 engines.²
• Junkers Ju 290A-0: Transport aircraft.^1,2
• Junkers Ju 290A-1: Transport aircraft.¹ Deliveries started in early 1943.^2,3 Used in the Mediterranean.³
• Junkers Ju 290A-2: Maritime reconnaissance.^1,2 Carried more fuel.² Additional defensive armament was added.^2,3 Radar installed.³
• Junkers Ju 290A-3: Used BMW 801D engines.²
• Junkers Ju 290A-4: The gun turrets were revised.²
• Junkers Ju 290A-5: Maritime reconnaissance.¹ Had FuG 200 search radar in nose.¹ Could detect up to 50 miles / 80 km.¹ Armor protection was increased.² The defensive armament was improved.²
• Junkers Ju 290A-6: Was intended to be personal transport for Adolf Hitler.^1,2,3 Could carry 50 passengers.^1,2
• Junkers Ju 290A-7: Reconnaissance bomber.² Armed with Henschel Hs 293, Hs 294, and "Fritz" missiles.^1,2,3 Had Hohentwiel radar.¹ Had a glazed nose.^1,3 20 mm was installed.³
• Junkers Ju 290A-8: Modified Ju 290A-7.² Armed with missiles to be used against ships.¹
• Junkers Ju 290A-9: Long range reconnaissance.^2,3 Carried more fuel.² Armament was removed.³
• Junkers Ju 290B: Bomber version.¹ High altitude.²
  Not produced.¹
  One built in 1944.²
• Junkers Ju 290B-1: High altitude bomber.³ No rear loading ramp.³ Fully pressurized.³ Additional defensive armament added.³ Project abandoned.³
• Junkers Ju 290C: Transport/reconnaissance version.¹ Not produced.¹
• Junkers Ju 290D: Bomber version.¹ Not produced.¹
• Junkers Ju 290MS: Mine clearing.¹ Not produced.¹
• Junkers Ju 390: 6 engines.¹ Prototype flew to within 12 miles / 20 km of United States' coast.¹
• Junkers Ju 390 V2: Was largest conventional aircraft built by Germany.¹

Usage

Germany was the only country that used the Ju 290.²

Ex Airliner

Eleven of the Ju 90s that were in service with Luft Hansa were converted into military service at the start of World War II.²

Stalingrad

Two Ju 290A-0s and five Ju 290A-1s were used during the encirclement of Stalingrad.¹

Atlantic

The 1./FAGr 5 was the first to use the Ju 290 over the Atlantic on October 15, 1943.¹

Flying to Japan

Three Ju 290A-5s were stripped and used in transport missions to Japan.¹ They would fly military material to the Japanese in exchange for precious metals and rubber.³

Escape to Spain

In April 1945 it is reported that a Ju 290A-6 flew some of the escaping German leadership and flew them to Spain.^1,2 These were used by the Spanish air force until the 1950s.^1,2

Specifications