Junkers Ju-86
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Junkers Ju 86 (1937)
The clean, non-corrugated lines of the Ju 86 with the retractable landing gear provided South African Airways with a fast and comfortable aircraft. Eighteen served SAA before they were impressed into the SAAF at the outbreak of WWII and never returned to SAA service.
The first 6 of 18 Ju-86’s ordered by SAA were fitted with the in-line Rolls Royce Kestrel engine in a more graceful nacelle than the German Jumo diesel engine. Only 3 of these appear to have been completed with the Kestrel engine before the change to P&W Hornets. These Kestrel engined aircraft were designated as Ju86Z-3. They were later re-engined with Pratt and Whitney Hornet motors as the Kestrel motor was found to be unsuitable for civilian operations. The remaining aircraft, fitted with Pratt and Whitney Hornet radial motors were designated Ju86Z-5 (some publications have referred to these as Ju-86Z-7’s).
A solitary Ju86K-1 bomber version was ordered and delivered. This aircraft did not have the option of being fitted with airliner seating and was used as freighter. Unlike the airliner versions this aircraft had a bomb bay fitted and was expected to serve as a pattern aircraft in the event of the need to convert the airliners into a more belligerent role. In the event this was not to happen and when the airliners were converted to bombers they had external bomb racks fitted with the consequent loss of performance due to the induced drag.
A 19th aircraft was delivered to replace the original ZS-AND that was badly damaged whilst still owned by Junkers. The remains of this airframe was used by the SAAF as a ground instruction training airframe during WWII. There were plans for a further 15 aircraft but the advent of WWII prevented this happening.
The Ju86 has the distinction of being the first SAAF aircraft to be used in combat during WWII when one of these aircraft intercepted the German raider SS Watussa off the KZN coast. Not a single example of the SAA/SAAF Ju-86’s survived WWII.
Normal passenger load: 10
ZS-AGE, ZS-AGF, ZS-AGG, ZS-AGH, ZS-AGI, ZS-AGJ, ZS-AJE, ZS-AJK, ZS-AJL, ZS-ALN, ZS-ALV, ZS-ANA, ZS-AGE, ZS-ANB, ZS-ANC, ZS-AND, ZS-ANE and ZS-ANF.
The solitary Ju86K-1 was ZS-ANI
SAAF serial numbers were 641 to 657 for the Ju86Z-5’s and 658 for the Ju86K-1.
Aircraft names at end of article.
Modelling
The following kits have been produced over the years that will allow the modeller to build a model of this aircraft.
Koras provide several conversions to produce Ju-86 SAA/SAAF aircraft
For many years the SAA (and SAAF) modeller had to be content with converting one of the Italeri 1/72nd scale Ju86E's into a South African operated version. Then Italeri released a Ju86Z airliner model with the Jumo diesel engines. This eased the work load for the modeller as the fuselage modifications were not needed when building an airliner. All that was required were two kits, the fuselage and wings from the Ju-86Z model and the necessary radial engines from a Ju-86E kit. Revell also released a kit Ju86Z airliner under their label and fortunately for the SAA/SAAF modeller this was the Ju-86Z-2 radial engined version (which is generally similar externally to the SAA Ju-86Z-5.) This kit also has the longer rear fuselage tail section with split elevators.
Note: if using the Italeri/Revell airliner kit to build an ex-SAA Ju-86 after transfer to the SAAF requires some modifications. You are required to fit the turret positions in the ventral and dorsal positions as well as making up and fitting external bomb racks. The alternative would be to modify a standard Ju-86E kit to the airliner configuration with a solid nose and fuselage windows.
Colours
The Ju-86s were delivered in what has been described as an overall pale blue grey (RLM 65??) or a pale grey (RLM63??) with what appears to have been a black cowlings and wing section on the first 3 (Z-3) aircraft prior to conversion to the definitive P&W Hornet motor. All photos thus far seen of the Hornet engined Ju-986Z-5’s appear to have the later SAA colours of Cerulean Blue. Once again only the engine cowlings/nacelles were thus finished. The individual aircraft names were carried on the lower forward fuselage below the cockpit in what appears to possibly be the same shade as the cowling trim i.e. Cerulean blue. The SAA badge was carried on the nose and there was a trim stripe in what is possibly Cerulean blue with a dark blue pin stripe to (it is possible that this stripe was black.)
Decals
At the time of writing no dedicated decals have been produced to allow the modeller to build an SAA operated aircraft. Although being plain black registration codes and airline titles it should not be too difficult to reproduce them. The modeller will have difficulty with SAA’s badge though as to date no decal manufacturer produces the early SAA winged wheel with a Springbok in it.
