WW2 German Secret Weapons Episode 13: Junkers “Ground Attack”

Does this look familiar?

Yes, you are not dreaming. This beautiful aircraft is remarkably alike the A-10 Thunderbolt, and as a matter of fact, it is the A-10’s de facto father! It is the Junkers Turbojet Attack Aircraft

German Secret Weapons Junkers Ground Attack
 

When did they start it?

Although the design is extremely modern and the concept looks good enough for the mid 90’s, work on this actually started in 1941. The German High Command asked to have a more modern variant of a low altitude ground attack aircraft, to replace the Henschel HS-129 (who flew for the first time in 1939 and entered production in 1940). This might seem like a rushed decision for the germans, but keep in mind development for a new model usually lasted several years, so this was just preparing ahead of time.

German Secret Weapons Junkers Ground Attack

Equipment

It is rather curious for 1941 that the aircraft was to be equipped with 2 turbojet engines, from Daimler-Benz. The decision to switch to jet engines came later in development, as most 1944+ paper prototypes for the German Air Force were all jets. The armament was insane for its time, far surpassing any other load out developed by all participants in WW2: 4 x 30mm MK103 cannons and 4 x 20mm MG151/20 cannons.

German Secret Weapons Junkers Ground Attack

Armored tank?

Much like the A-10, the aircraft was supposed to be armored against light AA fire. The protected areas were: on it’s belly (under fuselage), on both engines and around the ammo box.

German Secret Weapons Junkers Ground Attack

So did it fly?

Sadly, The Junkers Turbojet Attack Aircraft project was scrapped. The reasons involved Daimler-Benz taking way to long to develop the turbojet engines so that the first trials only started in March 1943.

German Secret Weapons Junkers Ground Attack

How accurate are the designs?

Truly we don’t know much about the plane. Sources are conflicting and for example the armament is still debated. Some data suggests it should have been armed with only 1 x 30mm cannon in the nose and 2 x 20mm cannons in the wings. That makes it less armed but more towards the regular armament of the time.

German Secret Weapons Junkers Ground Attack

If you liked the article, check out more amazing history articles here!

German Secret Weapons Junkers Ground Attack

All pictures are property of Kyle Scott.
Thank you also to www.luft46.com!

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