WOW555 Junkers Ju.290

Description

WOW555 Junkers 290

The Junkers 290 was developed directly from the Ju 90 airliner, versions of which had been evaluated for military purposes, and was intended to replace the relatively slow Focke- Wulf Fw 200 Condor in the maritime reconnaissance and anti shipping role, which by 1942 was proving increasingly vulnerable when confronted with RAF aircraft. The Fw 200’s airframe lacked sufficient strength for the role in any case. The Ju 290 was also intended to meet the need for large transport aircraft.

A special long-range reconnaissance group, FAGr 5 (Fernaufklärungsgruppe 5), had been formed on 1 July 1943 and during the late summer of 1943 three of the new Ju 290A-2s were delivered to its 1 Staffel, which became operational at Mon Marsan near Bordeaux on 15 October of that year. They flew their first operational missions in November 1943, shadowing Allied convoys in cooperation with U-boats, often remaining airborne for up to 18 hours.

Five Ju 290A-3 aircraft with more powerful BMW 801D engines followed as did five Ju 290A-4 aircraft with improved dorsal turrets mounting 20 mm MG 151/20s. The Ju 290s were well suited to their patrol role and began replacing the Fw 200 Condors. An A-4, Werk Nummer. 0165, was equipped with attachments for Fritz X and either the Henschel Hs 293 or Hs -294 anti-ship weapons, it was surrendered to the US after the war and flown across the Atlantic to the USA.

In November 1943, a second Staffel was activated and, with a range of over 6,100 km (3,790 mi) the Ju 290s ranged far out over the Atlantic, relaying sightings of Allied convoys to U-boats. 11 Ju 290A-5s with increased armour, heavier armament and self sealing fuel tanks were delivered to FAGr 5 early in 1944, as were around 12 of the Ju 290A-7 version; the A-7 could carry three Hs 293 glide bombs or Fritz X armoured, anti-warship remote controlled guided bombs.

As the Battle of the Atlantic swung irrevocably in favour of the Allies with the loss by the Germans of French bases in August 1944, FAGr 5 withdrew eastwards and the remaining Ju 290s were reassigned to transport duties, including service with KG 200, where they were used to drop agents behind enemy lines and other special missions, one of which included dropping 5 Iraqi agents into Mosul during the latter stages of the war.

We have a total of four 1/32 scale hand carved Mahogany Ju 290’s models with anti shipping missiles fitted priced at $2000 plus postage of $455 to the USA which is reflected in the website banner price.

All figures and accessories are shown for scale reference purposes only and are not included.