The German Junkers “Ju-87 Stuka” was the most famous of all planes used by the Germans as a sturzkamfflugzeug (dive bomber). It proved highly successful in the initial German “Blitzkrieg” campaigns, and even today endures as a symbol of Nazi terror. It is instantly recognisable with its inverted gull-wings, and fixed-undercarriage. The Ju 87 Stuka was ugly, slow, un-manouverable and underarmed but sturdy and very accurate. Its effectiveness in destroying vehicles, fortifications or ships, or just scaring people, was undoubted.
The Germans fitted the wheel covers with sirens that were used once the planes went into a dive to shatter the morale of enemy troops and civilians. They also fitted whistles onto the fins of the bombs to ensure that the recipients knew just when the bombs were released and could track them on the way down. This was supposed to engender fear in the people being bombed. It worked.
Some aircraft have a very specific place in history, and in no case is this more true than for the Stuka dive bomber, a much feared weapon in the German armoury.
This particular Stuka is based on one the last 1303 Volkswagen Superbeetles. The rear pick up conversion was made from a discarded 1970 Bay-window Double Cab. The Bay’s bed was shortened, narrowed, and sectioned to match up with the Superbeetles dimensions. A completely new bed was fabricated to match the new rear. A removeable convertible “bop-top” was installed to complement the new body style. The top, made from round tubing and German canvas is not folding, but rather can be disassembled and can be stowed in the bed.
A full complement of porsche parts gives a hint that this workhorse is built for high-speed motoring. Ceramic Disk brakes and Porsche 993 Carrera Struts firm up the front. Reworked Porsche 944 rear torsion bars, control arms, and Koni shocks lower the rear end. Polished Porsche 17-inch front and 18-inch rear Cup Wheels with Michelin rubber stuff the reworked fenders quite nicely.
A 2275cc Type 1 motor, ceramic coated, merged exhaust with dual CB Performance 52mm fuel injection system provide more than adequate fuel to the big 94mm pistons.
An orange pearl color scheme ties in very appropriately to true Porsche and Volkswagen colors. The recovered Recaros replace the original VW seats. Matching maroon custom door panels follow the original VW style. Everything else, even the steering wheel , gauges and switches are original VW.
