Explosive charge for Ju-87 landing gear
 

Has anyone heard of a "squib" or explosive charge to jettison the landing gear of a Junkers Ju-87 Stuka in the event of an off-field landing?

Re: Explosive charge for Ju-87 landing gear
 

It was said to be used on the carrier-borne C version to assist in a ditching. There was a photo of a flak-damaged B over Poland which was doctored and used to make propaganda claims about this device. the original and the propaganda versions have both been published. If they had such a thing, there would have been no need to modify the photos.

Re: Explosive charge for Ju-87 landing gear
 

I read something about but understood that this device was installed in all early models, including the B versions as well.
I believe (bad memory) I read it here, some 23 or 24 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/Stuka-at-War-.../dp/0711001979

Would be glad to know if the Dora versions also did have this device...and if so, why it was not used on engine failure landings; etc.?

If memory does not fail me, the Ju 87 B photographed without one or two fixed landing gears recovered from a diving too late and lost his landing gears when it hit water (at least I remember reading something like that).

Is there any evidence (from a Flight Manual on the Ju 87 for instance) of this explosive charge being installed?

A.

Re: Explosive charge for Ju-87 landing gear
 

there is a wochenschau were a legless Ju87 bellyland. The commentator specially explain they lost one by aaa and the other through explosive bolts.

Re: Explosive charge for Ju-87 landing gear
 

Hi,

Peter C. Smith in the Crowood book (p.61) on the Stuka references the following action at Hela (Poland) in early Sep 1939. "During these attacks on Hela one Ju 87C-0 returned to it's base minus its wheels and main undercarriage members. It had been slightly damaged by Flak during its attack dive and the pilot, anticipating a splash-down in Hela Bay, had fired the explosive bolts built in for just that purpose in order to jettison the undercarriage members in readiness for an emergency water landing. But after this had been done the Stuka was brought back under control and got back to base, where she made a belly landing."

He then quotes an eyewitness report of the landing on Oronsko airfield south of Radom. he then states that a "redubbed -photograph" purporting to show this was released.

On p.48 of the same book Smith says "The undercarriage was fitted with explosive bolts so that in the event of a water landing in an emergency, a likely contingency, the whole lower section could be jettisoned". This statement is slightly at variance with the earlier quote....

Re: Explosive charge for Ju-87 landing gear
 

On reading Griehl's book referencing the 87C and T.Gr.186 I am sceptical that any Ju 87 Cs were involved in operations. This in turn calls into question the whole episode....

Michael Holm's page on Trägergruppe 186 only mentions Ju 87Bs.

Anyone found any primary source evidence?