Italeri 1/72 Junkers Ju-87 D-5 Stuka

The Junkers Ju-87 Stuka was a German Ground attack aircraft of WWII. Deriving the name Stuka from "Sturzkampfflugzeug", or dive bomber, the Stuka was famed as much for it's propaganda effect as for it's combat abilities.

Entering service in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War the Stuka made it's name during the Blitzkrieg campains of 1939 and 1940. With it's distinctive gull wing design, fixed undercarriage and fearsome wailing siren, the Stuka gave close support to the advancing Panzer Divisions. However as early as the Battle of Britain in 1940 it's flaws were all too apparent. It's slow speed, lack of manoeverability and poor defensive armament  lead to it being vulnerable to modern fighters thus requiring heavy German fighter protection.

Despite this there was little alternatives available and development of the Stuka continued. the D-5 model was based on the earlier D-3 with slightly longer wings and an upgraded engine which increased it's rate of climb. The D-5 was also fitted with MG 151/20mm armament in each wing.