Junkers Ju 89

Infobox Aircraft
name = Ju 89
type = Heavy bomber
manufacturer = Junkers

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caption =
designer =
first flight = 11 April 1937
introduced = 1938
retired = 1939
status =
primary user = Luftwaffe
more users =
produced =
number built = 2
unit cost =
variants with their own articles = The Junkers Ju 89 was a heavy bomber aircraft designed for the Luftwaffe prior to World War II. Two prototypes were constructed, but the project was abandoned without the aircraft entering production. Elements of its design were incorporated into later Junkers aircraft.

Development

From the very beginnings of the Luftwaffe in 1933, General Walther Wever, the chief of staff, realised the importance that strategic bombing would play in any future conflict. A Langstrecken-Grossbomber or heavy strategic bomber was needed to fulfill this role.

Under the Ural bomber program, he began secret talks with two of Germany's leading aircraft manufacturers, Dornier and Junkers, requesting designs for a long-range bomber. The two companies responded with the Dornier Do 19 and the Junkers Ju 89 respectively, and the RLM ("Reichsluftfahrtministerium", "Reich Aviation Ministry") ordered prototypes for both aircraft in 1935.It is reported that the RLM request asked for two prototypes and a prototype series of nine aircraft.

The Ju 89 and its competitor, the Dornier Do 19, both proved promising, but fell victim to a change of direction within the Luftwaffe. Wever was killed in a plane crash in 1936. His Successors Ernst Udet and Hans Jeschonnek favoured smaller aircraft since those did not require as much material and manpower. Also they were proponents of the dive-bomber (Junkers Ju 87) and the doctrine of close support and destruction of the opposing airforces on the 'battle-ground' rather than through attacking enemy industry.

They convinced Herman Goering initially in emphasizing instead the need for tactical bombers to act in an army support role. While Goering's beliefs seemed validated by Germany's early successes in the Blitzkrieg, the lack of strategic bombing capability severely hampered the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain.

First Prototype

On Apri, 11th 1937 the Ju89 prototype D-AFIT (V1, c/n 4911) was first flown by Hesselbach. Just two and a half weeks later, the first flight, on April 29 1937 the further development of both strategic bombers was canceled by the RLM. The reason for this step was the high fuel consumption of heavy bombers, as well as the fact, that a large number of bomber aircraft could only be manufactured if these bombers were medium seized bombers, like the Ju88.

econd Prototype

Junkers completed the second Ju89 prototype D-ALAT July 1937. Junkers used both prototypes for extensive flight tests to get experiences about the stability and flight controls of large aircraft. But the third prototype V3 was stopped after the program was canceled. During these tests, the Ju 89s set two payload/altitude records, first by carrying 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) to 9,312 m (30,500 ft) and then 10,000 kg (22,000 lb) to 7,242 m (23,750 ft).

On June 4th 1938 Junkers achieved a new Payload/Altitude World Record with the second prototype D-ALAT with 5000 kg payload at an altitude of 9312 m. ( 4000 meters more than a Short stirling with the same payload) On June, 8th 1938 D-ALAT reached an altitude of 7242 m with 10000 kg. In late 1938 both aircraft were transferred to Luftwaffe, where they were used as heavy transport aircraft.Both Ju 89 prototypes seem to have been scrapped by the end of 1939, although some sources claim that they were still in use the following year in Norway. Both aircraft were later impressed into the Luftwaffe for use as heavy transports. During testing, Lufthansa expressed an interest in an airliner to be developed from the type, which led Junkers to rebuild the incomplete third prototype as the Junkers Ju 90.

pecifications (Ju 89 V2)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref=
crew=Five
capacity=
payload main=
payload alt=
length main= 26.49 m
length alt= 86 ft 11 in
span main= 35.25 m
span alt= 115 ft 8 in
height main= 7.60 m
height alt= 24 ft 11 in
area main= 184 m²
area alt= 1,979 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 17,000 kg
empty weight alt= 37,480 lb
loaded weight main= 20,800 kg
loaded weight alt= 50,266 lb
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main= 27,800 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 61,160 lb
more general=
engine (prop)= Daimler-Benz DB 600A
type of prop=
number of props=4
power main= 560 kW
power alt= 750 hp
power original=
max speed main= 386 km/h
max speed alt= 241 mph
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
range main= 2,980 km
range alt= 1,862 miles
ceiling main= 7,000 m
ceiling alt= 22,960 ft
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=11.2 kg/m²
loading alt=25.4 lb/ft²
thrust/weight=0.11 kW/kg
power/mass main=0.06 hp/lb
power/mass alt=
more performance=
armament= (proposed)
* 2 x MG FF cannons
* 2 x MG 15 machine guns
* 1,600 kg (3,520 lb) bombload
avionics=

ee also

aircontent

related=
*Ju 90
*Ju 290
*Ju 390

similar aircraft=
*Dornier Do 19
*Vickers Wellington

lists=
*List of military aircraft of Germany
*List of bomber aircraft

see also=

External links

* [http://www.ww2incolor.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4618 WW2 in Color]