Junkers Ju290A-7

[obdl3945]

Hi...

Attached is a photo of a Ju290A-7. It came from e-bay a long time back and allegedly shows 9V+IH, from 1.Staffel/Fernaufklärungsgruppe 5 which operated from Mont de Marsan in France.

Barry Rosch's Luftwaffe Codes, Markings & Units, 1939-1945 (Schiffer) does list this machine as an A-7 on the strength of this unit but I seem to remember reading somewhere that the A-7 was not used operationally by FAGr5, or was at best used to a limited extent. Rosch also details other A-7s: 9V+HH, also from 1.Staffel, and 9V+GK, KK and MK from 2.Staffel.

I would be obliged if anyone could confirm the identify of the machine in the photo, and/or provide confirmation/information of any of the other above-mentioned aircraft, particularly the size and dimension of the fuselage codes, whether or not they were all black or if the aircraft letter was coloured in the Staffel colour, and if any of them carried the 'sailing ship' insignia of the unit. On the last point, any indication of the background colour to the insignia would also be appreciated. I have some hunches as to some of the information I've asked for, but as this is for a model I'm building, it would be great to get any confirmation of some of the finer points from an accuracy point of view.

Thanks in advance...

Paul

[Revi16]

The following is from Junkers Ju 290, Ju 390 etc. by Heinz J. Nowarra.

Using information from the book, looks like there were either 10 or 16 A-7's built.

Picture shows the first A-7 as Wnr. 2900181 KR+LL, Text shows the first A-7 as Wnr 2900186 KR+LL.

Book also states the last A-7 as Wnr. 2900196 (FE 3400) which was captured at the end of war and flown to the US.

Some A-7 pics and info. here. Maybe you can piece together what you need.
http://www.luftarchiv.de/index.htm?/...kers/ju290.htm

http://www.geocities.com/hjunkers/ju_ju90_a1.htm

http://www.zonamilitar.com.ar/foros/...ad.php?t=16467

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=40070

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=17306

Here's a book on-line, page 201 talks about the Ju290 A-7
http://books.google.com/books?id=oB9...esult&resnum=6

Regards,
Mike

[Larry deZeng]

Here are two operational losses of A-7s belonging to 2./FAGr. 5:

26.5.44: (Lfl.3) - Ju 290A-7 (9V+FK) failed to return from a convoy recce over the Atlantic west of Portugal, 100%, crew MIA.
31.5.44: (Lfl.3) - Ju 290A-7 (9V+LK) flew into a mountain along the coast of Spain, 100%, crew killed.

This book will answer all of your questions:


Kössler, Karl and Günther Ott, Die großen Dessauer: Junkers Ju 89, Ju 90, Ju 290, Ju 390 – Die Geschichte einer Flugzeugfamilie (Berlin, 1993).

[obdl3945]

Mike, Larry...

Thanks very much for the information... much appreciated .

Paul

[mjbollinger]

Paul,

At least ten Ju 290 A-7 aircraft were completed and delivered to FAGr(5): #186 (9V+FH), #87 (9V+LK), #188 (9V+FK), #189 (9V+KK), #190 (9V+MK), #191 (9V+AB), #192 (9V+HH), #193 (9V+FK), #195 (9V+LK) and #196 (9V+IH). Your photo could be this last one.

One other aircraft (#184) was the prototype and not delivered to FAGr(5). One A-7 (#194) was destroyed in an Allied air raid before it could be delivered. Aircraft # 185 is often listed as an A-7 variant but if such was deployed instead as a transport aircraft on special duties until lost over the Eastern Front. Aircraft #181 is also listed as an A-7 variant may have been delivered to FAGr(5). Aircraft #164 was converted to the A-7 configuration in July 1944 but never delivered to FAGr(5).

The A-7 variant of course was designed to carry and launch the Hs 293 glide bomb. (Hence my personal interest). It seems clear that they were used operationally in the same capacity as other Ju 290 maritime recce aircraft, to shadow convoys. I have never come across evidence that Ju 290 A-7 actually launched an Hs 293 operationally against an Allied target.

There are claims to the contrary, including a reference in Poolman (Allied Escort Carriers of WWII) that such an attack was launched on convoy ONS-67. Poolman relies on contemporary observers. Their account is incorrect, as Kössler and Ott clearly indicate. The aircraft involved was not an A-7, could not carry the Hs 293, and actually dropped the FuG 203 “Schwan-See" buoy, which fell vertically to the sea and was taken by some to be an Hs 293.

You photo is quite interesting. I hope to publish a book on German glide bombs (and Allied countermeasures) this year. Might you be willing to allow the photo to be published? Do you have information on its original source?

Marty

[Seaplanes]

According to the RLM production reports nos. 226 of 30.06.44 and 227 of 30.11.44, the Ju 290 production was:
Ju 280A-1 8
Ju 290A-3 5
Ju 290A-4 5
Ju 290A-5 11
Ju 290A-7 19 (including 6 aircraft destroyed before delivery to Luftwaffe)
Ju 290A-9 3

This should be as accurate as it possibly gets. Any conversions were taken from the production above.

[obdl3945]

Mart, Seaplanes..

Again, my thanks to you both for taking time to provide information. Marty, I've also sent a PM.

Kindest regards...

Paul