Junkers Ju 390
| Ju 390 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Junkers Ju 390 V1 | |
| Role | Long range transport/maritime reconnaissance/bomber |
| Manufacturer | Junkers |
| First flight | 20 October 1943 |
| Introduction | 1943 |
| Retired | 1945 |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | 2 |
| Developed from | Junkers Ju 290 |
The Junkers Ju 390 was a German aircraft intended to be used as a heavy transport, maritime patrol aircraft, and long-range bomber, a long-range derivative of the Ju 290. It was one of the aircraft designs submitted for the abortive Amerika Bomber project, along with the Messerschmitt Me 264, the Focke-Wulf Ta 400, and by February 1943, the Heinkel He 277.
Two prototypes were created by attaching an extra pair of inner-wing segments onto the wings of basic Ju 90 and Ju 290 airframes, and adding new sections to lengthen the fuselages.
The first prototype, the V1, (bearing Stammkennzeichen code of GH+UK), was modified from the Ju 90 V6 airframe (Werknummer J4918, civil registration D-AOKD from July 1940 to April 1941, then to the Luftwaffe as KH+XC from April 1941 to April 1942, then returned to Junkers and used for Ju 390 V1 construction). It made its maiden flight on 20 October 1943 and performed well, resulting in an order for 26 aircraft, to be designated Ju 390 A-1. None of these were actually built by the time that the project was cancelled (along with Ju 290 production) in mid-1944.
The second prototype, the V2 (RC+DA), was longer than the V1 because it was constructed from a Ju 290 airframe (using the fuselage of Ju 290 A-1 Werknummer J900155).
The maritime reconnaissance and long-range bomber versions were to be designated the Ju 390 B and Ju 390 C, respectively.
The V1 was constructed and largely assembled at Junkers' plant at Dessau, Germany, and the first test flight took place on 20 October 1943. Its performance was satisfactory enough that the Air Ministry ordered 26 in addition to the two prototypes. On 29 June 1944, the Luftwaffe Quartermaster General notes RLM paid Junkers to complete seven Ju-390 aircraft. However, the contracts for 26 Ju 390s were cancelled on 20 June 1944 and all work ceased in September 1944.
On 26 November 1943, the Ju 390 V1 – with many other new aircraft and prototypes – was shown to Adolf Hitler at Insterburg, East Prussia.
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