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Type: Long Range Transport Reconnaissance Bomber Maritime Patrol Origin: Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke Models: Ju 290A-1 to A-8 and B-1, B-2 and C Crew: 9 First Flight (rebuilt Ju90V5): Early 1939 First Flight (prototype Ju 290 V1): July 16, 1942 First Flight (production Ju 290A-0): October 1942 Service Delivery: August 1942 Final Delivery: October 1944 Engine:
Dimensions: Wing span: 42.00m (137 ft. 9½ in.) Length: 92 ft 1 in. to 97 ft 9 in. Length (Ju 290A-5): 28.64m (93 ft. 11½ in.) Height: 6.83m (22 ft. 4¾ in.) Wing Surface Area: 203.60m² (2,191.60 sq. ft.) |
Weights: Empty: 33,005 kg (72,611 lb) Maximum (Ju 290A-5): 44,970kg (99,141 lbs.) Maximum (Ju 290A-7): 45,400kg (101,413 lbs.) Maximum (Ju 290B-2): 50,500kg (111,332 lbs.) Performance: Maximum Speed: 440kph (273 mph) Initial climb: N/A Service Ceiling: 6,000 m (19,680 ft) Range: 3,700 Miles (5950 km) Range (Ju 290B-2): 4,970 Miles (8000 km) Armament: Ju 290A-2: Five 20mm MG 151/20 Six 13mm MG 131 Ju 290A-8: Ten 20mm MG 151/20 One (or Three) 13mm MG 131
Avionics: |
The Junkers 290 was a direct development of the Junkers Ju 90 airliner, versions of which had been evaluated for military purposes. By 1941, two further prototype militarised Ju 90s were deemed to be different enough from their predecessors to warrant a new designation. These flew in mid 1942 and were quickly accepted into service and the type ordered into production. These two (Ju 290 A-0), plus the first five production aircraft (Ju 290 A-1), were completed as heavy transports, equipped with loading ramps in their tails and defensive gun turrets. Some of these aircraft participated in the Stalingrad Airlift in December 1942.

Operational History - Source: Wikipedia
The German army encountered the problem of maintaining supplies in sufficient quantities to the combat units in Russia during the winter of 1941. The only immediate solution was the development of available 4-engined Junkers Ju 90 civilian airliners into a larger and more up-to-date military transport under the designation Ju 290 A. Equipped with loading ramps in their tails and defensive gun turrets, the first five production aircraft as well as two prototype aircraft participated in the Stalingrad Airlift.


Three Ju 290 A-7 aircraft were completed with special bomb-bays in their bellies for export to Japan as "nuclear bombers". During the war Japan was developing an atomic bomb in what is now North Korea. Japan lacked long range aircraft with which to bomb the US mainland. These "A-7" aircraft were apparently never delivered to Japan owing to the loss of airfields in Bulgaria by Soviet occupation.
A Ju 290 A-9, number 0185, unit was prepared as a personal transport for Adolf Hitler. It had a pressurized cabin and was designed to seat 50. This aircraft flew with the I/KG200 from Finsterwalde and made one flight to Barcelona (Spain) 23 April, 1945 under the command of the Captain Braun, first commander of LTS 290.

A number of Ju 290s survived the war. The Allies evaluated at least three. The one the US got (an A-4, number 0165, with a bulbous nose from Letov/Prague and the FuG 203 from Dornier) was used on night operations so it was painted black underneath. The British also received two for evaluation. An A-5, number 0178, was acquired by the Spanish and used as a government transport of personnel for the Superior School of Flight in Salamanca. It was retired from service due to an accident in the mid 1950’s.
One final Ju 290 was built by Letov after the war, utilising parts intended for the Ju 290 B high-altitude prototype. It was completed as an airliner, designated Letov L.290 Orel.
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