Interesting Ju 87D-7/G-1

[Broncazonk]

Was this Stuka a D-7 that was converted into a G-1. Or was it a G-1 that was fitted with exhaust pipes?

The exhaust pipe (photo below) is installed upside down is it not? The bend in the tube should be up instead of down, no? (Second photo)

I'm thinking a dark-of-the-night anti-armor capability would be extremely valuable, but how would that work without night vison?

Apparently captured near Pilsen, Czechoslovakia in May 1945?

Any other history or details on this fascinating bird?

Bronc

[Nick Beale]

Just to point out, Bronc, that the second photo is from my collection, given to me by NSG 9 veteran Hans Nawroth over 20 years ago. It shows Ofw. Hans Wolfsen and Gefr. Hans Wilk of 2./NSG 2 (which became 3./NSG 9 in July 1944) with Ju 87 D-3 “white 5/D3+EK”. This crew was shot down by a Beaufighter of 600 Squadron (crew: Jefferson and Spencer) on the night of 2/3 August 1944, SW of Arezzo, Italy.

P.S. If there ever was such a thing as a Ju 87 D-7 or D-8 actually built, then I have never found one in a strength return, delivery report, loss report, Allied wreck examination or intercepted signal.

[Revi16]

The first photo is W.Nr. 494200. As for the exhaust cover, it just looks like someone (Germans/Americans?) bolted a left hand cover on to the right side exhaust.

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Ju-87/SG...y-1945-02.html

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d7/81...452fb991dc.jpg

[Broncazonk]

Sorry Nick, I found the image on Google Images and I didn't know it was yours to credit.

Interesting how the White 5/D3+EK was missing (photographed without) the lower oil filling port cover (not cap) to the main (lower) oil tank.

Revi16's image of W.Nr. 494200 (below) was apparently printed from a slide--it's a reverse of real-life.

No D-7s!! There is so much bad information in books. I've got a book that has D-7s being converted from D-3s with Jumo 211Ps!

Serious question: how come the Luftwaffe never experimented with/adopted MK 108s in the wings instead of those useless MG 17s? The USAAF was disabling (and even sinking) ships with 8 forward-firing .50 cals in light bombers. The P-47 was a locomotive killing monster. 30mm HE would have been wicked on light-skinned Russian vehicles and troop columns, etc.

Bronc

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Broncazonk

Sorry Nick, I found the image on Google Images and I didn't know it was yours to credit …

D-7s!! I've got a book that has them being converted from D-3s with Jumo 211Ps!

Bronc

1. Whoever put it on Google Images certainly never asked me! It was one of the illustrations in my book on NSG 9.

2. The specifications for the D-7 and D-8 seem to have been real enough but finding an actual verified example of either is the problem. It’s the same with the He 111 H-22.

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

Sadly Nick, people are now scanning images from books to get those all conquering "likes" on social media, and beyond. Which also brings up the question, how does one control this?

[Revi16]

Adding MK 108's into the wing would have required a major re-design of the wing/spar/etc., same reason (for the most part) that 109's didn't get internal wing gun upgrades.

[edwest2]

Regarding the control of lifted/stolen images, most sites accept take down requests from the legitimate owners. At the publishing company where I work, we send out these take down requests whenever we see stolen images, or when someone notifies us about an image taken from one of our books. Violating copyright is against the law.

[Denniss]

A load plan does exist for D-7/D-8 though. It mentions D-7 = D-1 with D-5 wings and D-8 = D-3 with D-5 wings.
Bomb options for centerline just listed up to 500kg (other D could carry more), underwing up to 250kg (standard for D I believe)
max weight given as 5.9 tonnes - several hundred kilograms less than a D-5 with 6.3/6.5 tonnes but similar to D-1 with Rüstzustand A

So smells like an upgrade option for older Ju 87D - new wing and 2cm guns

[Revi16]

No idea if or how accurate. http://hugojunkers.bplaced.net/junke...tion-list.html

100323, Ju87 D7
LUFTWAFFE, ??+??, ??.??.?? to Mai.45, captured by US forces at Stuttgart

141286, Ju87 D8
LUFTWAFFE, ??+??, ??.??.?? to Mai.45, captured at Nuremberg by US forces