JU-52/3 Minesweeper
“Guns before butter. Guns will make us powerful; butter will only make us fat.”
- Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering, Head of the German Luftwaffe
History
Like the USAF C-47, the Junkers Ju 52 tri-motor was first built in the 1930s and remained in service for more than a quarter century. It made its maiden flight in April 1931, and three years later a heavy bomber variant entered service with the German Luftwaffe. The latter version formed the nucleus of the Luftwaffe’s early bomber force, which was used with great effect during the Spanish Civil War.
By 1939, the Ju 52 was obsolete as a bomber, but because of its durability, simplicity of design, and handling characteristics, it continued to serve throughout WW II as a versatile workhorse for the German transport fleet. Adolf Hitler even used a Ju 52 as his private transport. Ju 52s delivered the attacking forces and their supplies during the German invasion of Norway, Denmark, France, and the Low Countries in 1940. Later on, approximately 500 Ju 52s participated in the historic airborne assault on the island of Crete in May 1941 and later supplied Rommel’s panzerwaffe operating in North Africa.
In addition to the standard, fixed undercarriage version, there was a floatplane version, equipped with two large floats. This model served during the Norwegian Campaign in 1940, and later in the Mediterranean theatre. Some Ju 52 floatplanes were also used as minesweepers, fitted with a large degaussing ring under the airframe.
This particular Junkers Ju-52-3m was used as a minesweeper, and attached to the Minensuch-Gruppe, then based in France during 1943. The large ring was an electrified metal ally affair built in sections that were supported with bracings under the fuselage and wings. Low voltage current was fed through the ring while the aircraft was flying over the water suspected of being mined by the Allies. The electromagnetic field generated by the minesweeping ring would explode any magnetic mines encountered.
Based on the Frence coast, the Mine sweeping squadron remained operational until late 1944.
Technical Data
General characteristics
- Crew: 3 (two pilots, radio operator)
- Capacity: 18 troops or 12 litter patients
- Length: 18.90 m (62 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 29.25 m (95 ft 10 in)
- Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 110.5 m² (1,190 ft²)
- Empty weight: 6,510 kg (14,325 lb)
- Loaded weight: 9,200 kg (20,270 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,990 kg (24,200 lb)
- Powerplant: 3× BMW 132T radial engines, 533 kW (715 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 265 km/h (165 mph) at sea level
- Cruise speed**:** 211 km/h (132 mph)
- Range: 870 km (540 mi)
- Service ceiling: 5,490 m (18,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 17 minutes to 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
Of the 4845 built, 7 are still flyable
The Model
Italeri 1/72 scale JU-52 Minesweeper No 126. I usually like to pick specific aircraft as my subjects such as the “Red 02” Mig 3 or Lt Stanley W Swede Vejtasa and his SBD Dauntless. In this case the image on the box just grabbed my attention. I will be doing this as an OOB. I don’t foresee any need for scratch building anything to drastic. Except for some excessive flash this kit is nicely detailed.
This kit has two build options. Version A, is from Minensuch-Gruppe; France 1943.
Version B, is from Minesuch-Gruppe 1; of the Baltic Sea 1944.
I’ve chosen Version A but I’m arming it to the teeth with options from both versions. Since this isn’t a specific aircraft build but more of a representation of what was I feel I can do this with a clear consciences.
Thanks for looking
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