Main Menu

Germany's Junkers Ju 90 and Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance1

Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance:
Germany's Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance

Junkers Ju 290A-5 reconnaissance:
Germany's Junkers Ju 290A-5 reconnaissance

Junkers Ju 290B-1 reconnaissance, under attack:
Germany's Junkers Ju 290B-1 reconnaissance, under attack

Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance, captured by the United States:
Germany's Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance, captured by the United States

Design

The Junkers Ju 90 was a transport plane that were to be used by Lufthansa and the South African Airways.1

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

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

Prototype

The Ju 290V1 prototype first flew in early 1939.2

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

Variants

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

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

  Junkers Ju 2902 Junkers Ju 290A2 Junkers Ju 290A-51,2 Junkers Ju 290A-72
Type Transport2
Reconnaissance bomber2 		  Maritime reconnaissance1  
Crew        
Passengers        
Engine (Type)   4: BMW 801L2 4: BMW 801D1  
OR   4: BMW 801D2    
Cylinders   Radial 142 Radial 141  
Cooling     Air1  
Net HP   L: 1,600 each2
D: 1,700 each2 		1,700 each1  
Propeller blades   3 each2 3 each1  
Dimensions        
Span     137' 8"1, 137' 9.5"2
42 m1,2 		 
Length     93' 11"1, 94'2
28.64 m1, 28.65 m2 		 
Height     22' 5"1,2
6.83 m1,2 		 
Wing area     2,213 ft2 1
203.6 m2 1 		 
Weight        
Empty     90,134 lb1, 90323 lb2
40,970 kg1,2 		 
Loaded     98,934 lb1, 99,140 lb2
44,970 kg1,2 		 
Performance        
Speed @ 19,000' /
5,800 m 		    273 mph1
440 kph1 		 
Speed @ 19,030' /
5,800 m 		    237 mph2
381 kph2 		 
Cruising speed     224 mph2
360 kph2 		 
Endurance        
Climb to 6,070' /
1,850 m 		    9.8 minutes1  
Climb to 6,090' /
1,855 m 		    9.8 minutes2  
Service ceiling     19,685'2, 19,700'1
6,000 m1,2 		 
Range     3,785 miles2, 3,813 miles1
6,090 km2, 6,150 km1 		 
Armament        
Two dorsal turrets     1: 20 mm each2
1: 20 mm MG 151 each1 		 
Tail     1: 13 mm MG1  
Waist positions     2: 13 mm MG1
2: 20 mm2 		 
Ventral gondola     1: 13 mm MG1,2  
Bomb load       6,614 lb2
3,000 kg2
OR        
Missiles - air to surface, external       3: Hs 2932
OR       3: Fritz X2

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
  2. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
Home page graphic for wwiivehicles.com, pictures of Sherman, T-34/85, Tiger, and Churchill