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A journey through a revolutionary era in aviation history. |
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| Manufacturer: | Junkers |
| Country of Origin: | Germany |
| Role: | Experimental four-seat heavy jet bomber |
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The Ju 287
| Engine: | V1: | Four 900 kg (1,984 lb) Junkers Jumo 004B turbojets |
| V2 & V3: | Six 800 kg (1,764 lb) BMW 003 turbojets | |
| Production Examples: | Four 1,300 kg (2,886 lb) HeS 011A turbojets | |
| Wing Span: | 20.10 m (65 ft 11.75 in) | |
| Length: | 18.60 m (60 ft) | |
| Weight: | Empty 10,230 kg (22,553 lb) | |
| Loaded 20,000 kg (44,092 lb) | ||
| Maximum Speed: | 560 km/h (348 mph) | |
| Ceiling: | 10,800 m (35,400 ft) | |
| Range: | 1,500 km (932 miles) | |
| Accommodation: | 1 Pilot, 3 Crew | |
| Armament: | V1: | Two MG 131 13 mm machine guns and 4,000 kg (8,808 lb) bombs |
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History:
The testbed aircraft flew on 16 August 1944. It was constructed from various different types of other aircraft. Included were the nose wheels from two B-24 Liberators, the fuselage of an He 177, mainwheels of a Ju 352 and the tail was constructed of Ju 388 parts. 17 test flights proved the concept to have excellent handling characteristics but with some signs of wing twisting. The V2 had six engines placed in a certain way in order to counter the wing twisting effect. The Ju 287 would undoubtedly have proved a problem had the Allies not overrun the testing airfield, capturing the V1 and the nearly completed V2. The V3 failed to get off the drawing board and would have featured further improvements. |
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The Ju 287 V1 with RATO packs installed under the engines
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The Ju 287 V1 Testbed, preparing for airflow tests
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Copyright University of Southampton, 1997.
Additional licensing information
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
United Kingdom
Telephone +44 (0)1703 595000
Fax +44 (0)1703 593058