Junkers Ju 89

The Junkers Ju 89 was a heavy bomber designed for the Luftwaffe prior to World War II. Two prototypes were constructed, but the project was abandoned without the aircraft entering production. Elements of its design were incorporated into later Junkers aircraft.
==History==
Spurred by far-seeing Generalleutnant Walther Wever, the RLM issued a specification in mid-1935 for a Langstrecken-Grossbomber (long-range heavy bomber), which was popularly called the Ural-bomber, though it had to reach the tip of Scotland as well. The Do 19 and Ju 89 were the main responses. and the Junkers was by far the more capable. The Ju 89 V1 flew in December 1936, followed by V2 in early 1937. Under the leadership of Dipl-lng Ernst Zindel this very big and impressive machine had taken shape quickly, with smooth dural skin, double-wing flaps, hydraulic landing gear and crew of nine. 
Intended armament comprised a 20mm cannon in dorsal and ventral turrets and front and rear MG 15 machine guns. lnternal bomb load was 16 bombs of 220lb (100kg) or similar combinations. After Wever's death the programme trickled on until termination on 29 April 1937. The two Ju 89s continued intensive flying; V1 gained load/height records in 1938, one being 11,023lb (5000kg) to the excellent height of 30,551ft — well over 10,000ft above the ceiling of a Stirling with a similar load. Page 212 The Ju89 design formed the basis of the Ju 90 airliner, which led to the Junkers Ju 290.Wood, Tony and Bill Gunston. Page 216.
== Production ==
After the death of Walther Wever, the main proponent of Germany's long range strategic bomber doctrine, the Ju 89 fell out of favour. The two produced aircraft were scrapped in 1939, and no further models were built. In 1937, the Royal Hellenic Air Force approached Junkers and expressed interest in the type, going so far as to start preparations for a training program for the type before the deal fell through after the project was cancelled. The third half-built prototype was re-developed in the Ju 90, a civilian airliner variant, after Luft Hansa expressed interest in the aircraft.Green, William (1972). The warplanes of the Third Reich (1st ed.). London: Doubleday. ISBN 0385057822.
==Sources==
Category:GermanCategory:JunkersCategory:Between the warsCategory:Heavy bomberCategory:Land BasedCategory:Not selected for productionCategory:Multi enginedCategory:Piston enginedCategory:Multiple crew members