Junkers Ju-86, Swedish Service, Technical Docs

[The Stannum Crusader]

So I’ve been researching the Junkers Ju-86, specifically the Swedish B-3 variant, but I like all of them. I’ve been having trouble finding any technical documents on the aircraft. I’ve attached some of the illustrations I’ve found. I’d also appreciate any information on the planes. If you find stuff in Swedish that is fine too.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

I found some stuff on the crew of the bomber which some of you might appreciate. The “B3 crew consisted of four; apart from the pilot, an observer/bomb aimer was located in the front turret, where he also was to man the front machine gun. A new personnel category was also introduced with the radio operator, whose main job was to stay in touch with ground stations as well as other aircraft. The radio operator was also to operate the machine gun in the retractable lower gun turret. This was usually known as Signalistholken (the radio operators nesting box). The radio operator would also assist the pilot in navigational duties, and establishing the position of the aircraft through cross bearings. During long range reconnaissance flights, the radio operator was to take photographs, using the hand-held HK 25 camera. The fourth crew member, usually a conscript, was an aerial gunner, operating the dorsal machine gun. The B3 could easily be fitted with a second set of controls, which made instructor/trainee pilot flights possible.”

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

It could hold up to 1000 Kg of bombs, but when Germany invaded Norway and Denmark, the Swedes decided they would only put 4 50kg bombs in each bomber, which all available were mobilized because they expected an invasion the next day. I don’t know how much 200 kgs would really do, but it would probably do something. Interestingly, the Swedes were only able to launch the bombers, as the fighter escort couldn’t take off because of bad weather. So if Germany had invaded, the slow moving, low to the ground bombers would have immediately been wiped out. funilly enough, when Germany was preparing to invade Denmark, Swedish B3s were flying overhead on a surveillance mission, and the Germans then submitted a formal complaint to the Swedish Government through the embassy in Stockholm.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

Over the following weeks following the German invasion of Norway and Denmark, the B3 aircraft came into contact with German aircraft and naval vessels left via Ard on several occasions. On 13 April, a No.2 Squadron B3 fired off warning shots against five Heinkel Forstunal He 111 bombers over Swedish territorial waters between Västeröarna and Marstrand. The following day, two naval vessels were chased away by machine gun fire. 14 April turned out to be eventful, with a B3 being shot at simultaneously by a German naval vessel as well as a Bf 109. The B3 was lucky to escape into clouds. On 19 April, German naval vessels fired against patrolling B3 aircraft, two days later, a B3 chased away a Heinkel He 111 from Laholm Bay. The next incident took place on 26 April, when a Junkers Ju 88 and a B 3 exchanged fire off Vinga. Apparently, the aircraft came so close to each other that B3 crew afterwards could smell gun powder. None of the aircraft sustained any hits.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

Here is a quote from my book on the B3 that talks about the Swedens reaction to the German invasion with their b3’s, “F1 was ordered to deploy the No.1 Squadron and a Staff flight to an area north of Helsingborg. The units were to arrive at 05.00 hours, ready for immediate action against a possible invasion. The No.2 Squadron was to maintain high operation readiness at their forward base at Torslanda near Gothenburg. By midnight, all details had been worked out, and orders distributed. The first Take-off was set at 2.30 hours, with the aircraft taking off at one-minute intervals. The aircraft would fly south toward Halmstad singly, with full combat readiness ten minutes before reaching the coast. The leading aircraft of each flight was to fly at an altitude of 500 m, with the rest following at an altitude of 400 and 300 m respectively. The respective flights were then to assemble at Båstad, Ramsjö, Hallands Vadero and Havs hallar. The No.1 squadron would then assemble over Båstad in line formation with 100 m of separation between each flight. The targets were to be landing craft, troop carrying ships and troops that had already reached the shore. The B3 bombers were to attack at an altitude of 100 m and then turn away eastwards at low level, landing at F6 Karlsborg. The bombers took off according to plan, despite darkness and low clouds. Most of the pilots had never taken off in such prevailing condition, but all aircraft, led by the Wing Commander, got airborne. With full fuel tanks and a bomb load of four 50 kg mine bombs, the B3 planes headed southwards.“

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

if anyone has anything on the development of the Ju-86 or anything about Swedish service, or technical documents I would really appreciate if you added it to this thread. Thank you.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

I found this other drawing

 

[_Del_]

if anyone has anything on the development of the Ju-86 or anything about Swedish service, or technical documents I would really appreciate if you added it to this thread. Thank you.

I know next to nothing about Sweden's Air Force, particularly in this period (I know only slightly more starting at the Tunnan and onward), but I just wanted you to know I have enjoyed the information you've compiled in this thread, and that I hope someone more knowledgeable than myself is able to contribute something new.
If not, while disappointing, the thread and your effort has been informative and appreciated, as is.

 

[Justo Miranda]

Additional info

 

[Justo Miranda]

Post-2

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

Post-2

Thankyou so much!

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

Here are some more on the plane, also goes into the bombs the planes could carry a little.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

The Junkers Ju86K-13 B 3C, probably the best of the Swedish B 3 bombers had a length of 15.5 m, a height of 4.9 m, a wingspan of 22.7 m, a maximum weight of 8,200 kg and a maximum speed of 372 km/h. The Cruising speed is 315 km/h which would allow for flight for about 3 hours, travelling 1,070 km. The fuel tank could hold 1,500 liters of Gas. The B 3 in all variations would continue in Swedish service from 1936-1958. It would be used as a medium bomber, a surveillance aircraft, and later as a troop transport. The Swedes would never have to use the aircraft in its original role, but despite this the Swedish B 3 had a horrible record. With I think, (will update once I can check) 19/56 being destroyed in accidents. In one horrible instance, the propeller would break off, decapitating the pilot, leading to plane being destroyed, killing all the crew. In another instance, during a training exercise, while attempting to evade “enemy” fighters, a B 3 would turn, hitting its wing on the ground, causing the plane to crash, killing everyone on board.

edit1- added a neat photo I found
Edit2-yes, 19/56 were written off in crashes, killing 31 crew in total.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

I may have found why the bomb load was so light in the B3s when they were preparing for a German Invasion. While reading about the SAAB B17, I learned that Sweden had a shortage of every type of bomb during most of WW2 but especially the higher load bombs like the 250 kg and 500kg bomb.

Edit1- In fact, they were getting most of their bombs throughout the whole war from Finland!

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

Some Info about how they would be used in the Swedish tactics: Each B3 squadron consisted of 9 aircraft, with 3 flights of 3 aircraft each. The Tactic employed level bombing, which combined with the relatively poor performance of the B3, made it especially vulnerable to Flak. To reduce the threat of Flak, a special tactic was developed. This was called the “Pair of Pliers”, with the aircraft taking off singly. Each squadron then assembled separately before heading to the target. The Second flight of three B3 aircraft then turned 30 degrees to the right while at the same time the third group turned 60 degrees to the left. After flying on diverging courses for one minute, the second and third flights turned left and right respectively, heading straight towards the target and dropping their payload.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

I have found that the best source for information on the Swedish Service of the Junker Ju-86 is in the book, “Swedish Bomber Colours 1924-1958” by Mikael Forslund. It is a great book that goes over all Sweden’s World War Two bombers. Mikael also wrote a book about the Fighters of Sweden, but it costs like 300 USD or something crazy like that.

Edit:220 USD

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

I found this really good picture that shows the World War Two Bomber configuration and the post war transport configuration. I’ve been working really hard to find more information on the Swedish Service but it is very difficult to find anything on this plane.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

I recently bought an old magazine that has a diagram of the Junkers Ju-86, not the K variant, it has the larger Jumo Engines in the diagram, I will add a scan of it to this forum soon!

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

Sorry it took so long to get this here, but I think this is one of the best interior cutaways. The only real difference between it and the better JU-86K variant is the engines.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

this is a cutaway of the civilian version, but it has interesting information on the plane as a whole.

 

[The Stannum Crusader]

I individually scanned each page and put them together! Here is all of them!
These pages have a ton of information on the Junkers Ju-86!