German Air Force

Ju 89 V1

The first prototype of the Ju 89, seen here being prepared for a test at the Junkers airfield at Dessau, was designed to meet the specifications of the 'Ural Bomber' programme, although better then the competition (Do 19) it was still a sluggish machine capable of no more then 390km/h (242mph) without armament. It made its first flight in December 1936, a 2nd prototype being build in early 1937, powered with more powerful engines. With the programme cancelation on 29 April 1937 further tests were abandoned and the airframe of a 3rd prototype being build at the time was converted to serve as the forerunner of the Ju 90 commercial transport. Both prototypes built (V1 and V2) served briefly with the transport unit KGrzbV 105 during the invasion of Norway in 1940. The aircraft in the background is the Ju88 V1 which was also undergoing tests at the time.