Junkers Ju 87 Stuka

Yellow Series No 6125
By Robert Michulec & Matthew Willis
Mushroom Model Publications, ©2008
ISBN 978-83-89450-49-4
Softbound, 152 Pages
Available from MMP for £14

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

The Junkers Ju 87 Stuka is to attack aircraft as the Spitfire or Bf 109 is to fighter aircraft. With its arrival, Germany could no longer claim that their Luftwaffe was strictly a defensive force, and its usage in the opening stages of the Second World War proved its offensive capabilities. As the war progressed, though, its slow speed coupled with rapid advances in fighter aircraft rendered it obsolete on the Western Front. The Stuka found plenty of use on the Eastern Front, though, where it operated in close concert with ground forces. In the role of close air support, the Ju 87 redeemed itself, and the type soldiered on successfully to the end of the war.

This latest title from Mushroom Model Publications presents a detailed type history of the Ju 87, from the early beginnings with the Ju 87A through to the ultimate Stuka variant, the Ju 87D/G. Like other titles in the Mushroom Yellow Series, this book is packed with plenty of useful information. The text is quite well written, with a logical breakdown according to types. For those wanting the operational record, look elsewhere, as this is purely a description of the aircraft and the thought processes that led to its development and progression.

In terms of illustrative material, this book truly shines. Spread throughout the pages are many great photographs, some of which I have not seen before. The coverage on the early Stukas is particularly impressive. Coupled with these period photos are several pages of detail shots showing close-ups of surviving museum examples. These will be of great use to the modeler. Finally, like most Mushroom books, this one leaves the last couple dozen pages for color profile illustrations. These cover everything from the Ju 87A to the Ju 87G, and every theater of operation: France and Britain, North Africa and the Mediterranean, and the Eastern Front. Notably absent, though are any foreign nations that flew the Ju 87. All the profiles presented (and the photos, for that matter) are of Luftwaffe aircraft.

This is a great addition to Mushroom’s growing Yellow Series, and a nice single-point reference for the developmental history of the Stuka. My thanks to Mushroom for the review copy.