Junkers Ju 86
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Author: Daniel Kowalczuk
Publisher: Guideline Publications
ISBN: 9781916759329
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 44
Junkers is well known as the company that brought aviation from wood and fabric to metal, with those early metal aircraft being built from corrugated aluminum. Those early aircraft evolved into the ultimate corrugated aircraft, the Junker Ju 52, examples of which can still be seen flying today. So when their new Ju 86 bomber design took to the air in 1934, it surprised many people with its smooth skin and modern appearance. Like other German bombers from that era, the Ju 86 was developed both as a bomber and an airliner simultaneously, which greatly expanded its international usage. This title in the Warpaint Series takes a look at this lesser known Luftwaffe bomber in detail, including its post-war career that kept it flying well into the 1950s.
This book starts with the development of the Ju 86 and its evolution as both a bomber and a transport. The constant changes thrown at the design throughout this process tried to keep the design modern, but technology moved faster and by the time the Ju 86 entered service it was already becoming obsolete. Development continued, though, including high altitude reconnaissance variants, but by the early 1940s, the Ju 86 had been relegated to training roles.
Following the development discussion, the book then delves into the operational history of the type. This includes military action with the Legion Condor and Luftwaffe as well as civilian usage around the world, including South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Throughout the book are plenty of photos showing the Ju 86 in a wide variety of camouflage and marking schemes, including a handful that are in color. The 48 color profiles further add to showing the diverse schemes and nations that flew the Ju 86, including several showing Swedish examples that were the last Ju 86s to fly. Speaking of Sweden, the only surviving Ju 86 is in the Swedish Air Force Museum, and the book finishes up with some close-up photos of that plane.
This is a welcome addition to the Warpaint Series and Luftwaffe history in general, as the Ju 86 is not the most popular of Junkers subjects. My thanks to Guideline Publications for the review copy.