Ju 87d/G Stuka Versus T-34: Eastern Front 1943-45
An examination of two of the most high-profile air and land weapons to be deployed on the Eastern Front in World War II.In late 1942, as part of its attempts to strike back at ever-increasing numbers…
Specifikacia Ju 87d/G Stuka Versus T-34: Eastern Front 1943-45
An examination of two of the most high-profile air and land weapons to be deployed on the Eastern Front in World War II.In late 1942, as part of its attempts to strike back at ever-increasing numbers of Soviet tanks, the German air ministry authorised the development of an adaptation and enhancement of the longspan Junkers Ju 87D-5 Stuka dive-bomber. The aircraft was duly fitted with two underwing pods containing 37 mm BK cannon - an antiaircraft cannon with its origins dating back to 1933. The solid, slow, Ju 87 airframe offered the Luftwaffe an ideal platform for specialist, low level, 'tank-killing' operations.Despite the wealth of experience possessed by some of the Luftwaffe's ground-attack and dive-bomber aces, knocking out T-34 tanks from the air was a demanding and difficult process. Nevertheless, some Luftwaffe pilots notched up impressive tank scores, and