Junkers Ju 87

The Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka (from Sturzkampfflugzeug, "dive bomber") was a German dive bomber and ground-attack aircraft. Designed by Hermann Pohlmann, it first flew in 1935. The Ju 87 made its combat debut in 1937 with the Luftwaffe's Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War and served the Axis forces in World War II.

Background
The Junkers Ju 87 Sturzkampfflugzeug (Stuka) was an iconic dive bomber employed by the Luftwaffe. Created by Hermann Pohlmann, the Ju 87 had a long and rough design phase, plagued by flaws and technical shortcomings ever since work started in 1933. The first plane flew in 1935, with the combat debut coming two years later, with the Condor Legion during the Civil War. The inverted gull wings and dive brakes gave it excellent air handling characteristics, allowing Stuka pilots to make vertical dives and recover from them safely thanks to automated pull-up dive brakes. It served on all fronts of the war and became a symbol of Nazi Germany's blitzkriegs, but its vulnerability to enemy fighters only increased as the war went on and eventually it had to be relegated to support roles.

Ju 87D
The D series was introduced in 1941, as a dedicated tactical bomber. Although the Battle of Britain demonstrated Ju 87's vulnerability to enemy fighters, the Luftwaffe continued its development due to a lack of replacement aircraft. The D series featured an improved Jumo 211J power plant, nearly quadrupling its carrying ability (to 1,800 kg or 4,000 lbs). Some 3,300 Ds were produced between 1942 and 1944, when production ended.

D-3
The D-3 was an improved D-1, fitted with more armor for protection and some were modified for night fighting and tropical duties.
 * Ju 87 D-3 Recon Plane
 * Ju 87 D-3 Light Bomber 50kg
 * Ju 87 D-3 Medium Bomber 250kg (SD2)
 * Ju 87 D-3 Heavy Bomber 500kg
 * Ju 87 D-3 AP Cluster Bomber

D-5
The D-5 is an unique variant with longer wings and a weapons upgrade in the form of two 20mm MG151/20 machine guns, replacing the less powerful 7.92mm MG 17. Structural reinforcements also allowed the aircraft to reach higher diving speeds.
 * Ju 87 D-5 Recon Plane
 * Ju 87 D-5 Close Air Support
 * Ju 87 D-5 Pipan
 * Ju 87 D-5 Medium Bomber 250+50kg (Hun)
 * Ju 87 D-5 Heavy Bomber 500+50kg (Hun)
 * Ju 87 D-5 Heavy Bomber 500+250kg
 * Ju 87 D-5 Cluster Bomber (Hun)

Ju 87G
The G variant gave the aging Stuka a new lease on life. Converted from D-series aircraft, the new variant first flew in January 1943, mounting a pair of Bordkanone BK 3,7 37mm anti-tank autocannons. Frontline units first received the G in April 1943 and the Kanonenvogel (Cannonbird or Gunbird) quickly proved its combat worth in the hands of talented pilots, such as Hans Rudel.
 * The Ju 87 G-1 Tank Buster (SD2): The G-1 was converted from older D-series airframes, retaining the smaller wing, but without the dive brakes.
 * The Ju 87 G-2 Tank Buster: The G-2 was similar to the G-1 except for use of the extended wing of the D-5.