Junkers Ju 290
| Junkers Ju 290A-5
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| Description
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| Role | Maritime Patrol
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| Crew | 9
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| First Flight | July 16 1942 (Ju 290 V1)
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| Entered Service | August 1942
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| Manufacturer | Junkers
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| Dimensions
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| Length | 28.64 m | 93 ft 11 in
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| Wingspan | 42.00 m | 137 ft 9 in
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| Height | 6.83 m | 22 ft 5 in
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| Wing area | 203m² | 2,191 ft²
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| Weights
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| Empty | 33,005 kg | 72,611 lb
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| Loaded |
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| Maximum takeoff | 44,970 kg | 99,141 lb
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| Powerplant
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| Engines | 4x BMW 801 D-2
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| Power | 5,222 kW | 7,000 hp
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| Performance
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| Maximum speed | 440 km/h | 273 mph
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| Range | 6,150 km | 3,843 miles
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| Service ceiling | 6,000 m | 19,680 ft
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| Rate of climb |
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| Wing loading |
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| Power/Mass |
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| Avionics
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| Radar | FuG 200 Hohentwiel
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| Armament
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| Guns | 2x 15 mm MG 151 machine guns in dorsal turrets
1 x 15 mm MG 151 in tail
2x 15 mm MG 151 at waist
1x MG 151 in gondola
1x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun in gondola
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The Junkers Ju 290 was a long-range transport, maritime patrol aircraft and bomber used by the Luftwaffe late in World War II. It was developed from earlier Junkers designs dating from before the war.
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 290A-0), plus the first five production aircraft (Ju 290A-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.
Production lines were set up at the Letov factory in Prague for the combat versions of the aircraft, commencing with the Ju 290A-2, which carried a search radar for its patrol role. Minor changes in armament distinguished the A-3 and A-4, leading to the definitive A-5 variant. From late 1943, these began to replace the Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor in spotting targets for the U-boats operating in the Atlantic. The Ju 290 was well-equipped for its role, but shortages meant that it could not be built in quantity. As Germany lost access to the ocean, their role soon evaporated. By October 1944, all production was stopped.
The later versions of the aircraft had exhibited very promising characteristics though, with ever-increasing range and heavier armament, including the capability to carry the various guided anti-shipping missiles under development. Three Ju 290s, carrying extra fuel tanks, made a non-stop flight to Manchuria to exchange technical data with the Japanese. The "long legs" of the Ju 290 made it an excellent candidate for the Amerika Bomber project, and prototypes of an even longer-range version were ordered as the Junkers Ju 390.
A number of Ju 290s survived the war. At least two were evaluated by the Allies, and one found its way to Spain, where it was operated for some years after the war. This one-off A-6 passenger version had a pressurised cabin and had been originally built as a personal transport for Hitler.
One final Ju 290 was built by Letov after the war, utilising parts intended for the Ju 290B high-altitude prototype. It was completed as an airliner, designated Letov L.290 Orel.
