Not a Ju 87 variant exactly, but here goes anyway ...
In April 1937, the
Technische Amt of the RLM issued its specification for a new twin-engine ground-attack aircraft (
Schlachtflugzeug). Development contracts were issued for the Fw 189C and Hs 129A in Oct 1937. Junkers Flugzeug- und -Motorenwerke AG was not favoured because the RLM wanted the Dessau firm to concentrate of production of the Ju 87
Stuka and development of the Ju 88
schnellbomber.
Junkers design staff believed that both the Focke-Wulf and Henschel submissions lacked promise. As such, Junkers decided to proceed with a private venture to submit to the
Technische Amt. In effect, this aircraft was to be a twin-engined Ju 87B development. The fuselage would remain virtually unaltered other than the wing centre section. This was to be extended, incorporate new motor mounts, and have its anhedral almost completely eliminated.
Power would be provided by twin Junkers
Jumo 210s. The RLM preferred lower-powered engines and, compared to its new Jumo 211 V12s, Junkers believed that their earlier powerplant qualified. Thus, the proposed
Schlachtflugzeug would have twice the power of the Ju 87A-1 while allowing Junkers to extend the production life of the
Jumo 210.
Engines and radiators would be armoured from below. Additional armour plating would attached to the inside of the Stuka fuselage and pilot's cockpit was to have an armoured hood with inset '
panzerglas'. The rear gunner would be protected by an armoured glass panel on his flexible gun mount.
The Junkers concept far exceeded the required armament of two Oerlikon MG FF cannons (with the desired addition of twin 7,9 mm machineguns). Attached to the
Stuka's former engine bearer points was an interchangable
waffenträger. This nose section could be fitted with 10 x 7,9 mm MG17 machineguns, 4 x MG17s and 4 x MG FF cannon, or Junkers' reccommended main guns. These would be twin
Bordkanone BK 2,0 to be based on the Luftwaffe's ground-based Mauser anti-aircraft gun. This 2 cm FlaK 30 had a higher muzzle velocity than the requested MG FF while firing a much heavier shell than the Oerlikon.
Offensive bomb load remained the same as the Ju-87 although the
Stuka's swinging bomb cradle was no longer needed. Dive brakes were retained but moved outboard on the wings to clear much of the propellers' slipstream.
Although not exactly welcoming of unsolicited offerings, the
Technische Amt was intrigued by the possibility of a new twin-engined
Schlachtflugzeug making use of the
Stuka airframe. However, the EF 044 design was seen as being excessively large yet underarmoured. Junkers was also informed that small, air-cooled engines were the preferred powerplants. Junkers had found an 'in' to the
Schlachtflugzeug concept but the designers at Dessau would need to return to their drawing boards ...