Aviation Art…

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The Junkers Ju87 Sturzkampfbomber, known to the British simply as the Stuka, had already acquired a deadly reputation across Europe, its siren screaming as the ungainly dive-bomber struck terror into the hearts of those below. In 1940 its pilots crossed the Channel with their grim-looking aircraft to terrorise the southern towns and ports of England.

Robert Taylors painting Open Assault, depicts Hurricanes of 501 Squadron attacking a force of Ju87 Stukas as they dive-bomb naval vessels and installations in the port of Dover on 29 July 1940. High explosive bombs detonate within the sheltered anchorage as escorting Bf109s from JG51 race in to protect their lumbering charges. Four Stukas and two Me109s are dispatched, for the loss of just one RAF aircraft.

Comments

Aviation Art… — 5 Comments

  1. The Stukas worked a lot better against the Russians than they did against the Brits. Great picture. I love Taylor’s work.

  2. Hey Old NFO;

    The Stuka was a great platform for supporting the German Army advance, but the Germans had to have air superiority. The British still had air superiority over England. The German if they had focused on the RAF airfields and stayed there rather than going after London would have gained air superiority over the English and the battle of Britain would have went differently.

  3. The Stuka is one of those planes that’s so ugly it’s beautiful.