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{{Short description|Airliner and medium bomber aircraft}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
|name         = Ju 86
|image        = File:Junkers Ju-86 K-2 típusú repülőgép. Fortepan 11072.jpg
|caption      = Ju 86K-2 of Royal Hungarian Air Force, showing the Junkers {{lang|de|Doppelflügel}} wing control surfaces
|type         = [[Bomber]], [[airliner]], [[reconnaissance aircraft]]
|manufacturer = [[Junkers]]
|designer     = Ernst Zindel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/hjunkers/ju_who_z.htm |access-date=22 June 2016 |title=Junkers – Who is Who? |last=Zoeller |first=Horst |publisher=The Hugo Junkers Homepage |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027072730/http://www.geocities.com/hjunkers/ju_who_z.htm |archive-date=27 October 2009 }}</ref>
|first_flight = 4 November 1934
|introduction   = 1936
|retired      = 1958 (Swedish Air Force)
|status       = retired
|primary_user = {{lang|de|[[Luftwaffe]]}}
|produced     =
|number_built = ~900
|unit cost    =
}}
The '''Junkers Ju 86''' is a [[monoplane]] [[bomber]] and civilian [[airliner]] designed and produced by the [[Germany|German]] aircraft manufacturer [[Junkers]].

It was designed during the mid-1930s in response to a specification for a modern twin-engined aircraft suitable for use as both a high-speed airliner and a bomber. Junkers responded with a low-winged twin-engined all-metal [[monoplane]]; unusually, it was intended to be powered by [[Junkers Jumo&nbsp;205]] [[diesel engine]]s instead of [[petrol]] engines for greater fuel efficiency. It also had a smooth metal skin instead of the company's traditional  [[Corrugated galvanised iron|corrugated]] exterior. On bomber-configured aircraft, [[bomb]]s were carried vertically in four fuselage cells behind the cockpit; these bomb cells were replaced by seating for up to ten passengers on the civil airliner version of the Ju 86. On 4 November 1934, the first prototype, powered by [[Siemens-Halske Sh 22|Siemens SAM&nbsp;22]] [[radial engine]]s, made its [[maiden flight]]; on 4 April 1935, the third prototype, which was the first civil-configured aircraft, flew for the first time.

The civil-oriented Ju 86 models were operated by a range of airlines, including the German [[flag carrier]] [[Deutsche Luft Hansa]], [[Manchukuo National Airways]], [[South African Airways]], [[Iberia Airlines]] and [[AB Aerotransport]] amongst others. Some civilian aircraft would be converted into military aircraft following the outbreak of the [[Second World War]]. The type was employed by various air forces on both sides of the conflict, although the first military use of the Ju 86 was during the [[Spanish Civil War]], where it was flown by the [[Condor Legion]] with mixed results. The [[Luftwaffe]] deployed its Ju 86s during the [[invasion of Poland]], but opted to withdraw its diesel-engined aircraft fairly promptly while the radial-engined Ju 86 models were predominantly assigned to training roles thereafter. During late 1942, Ju 86s, along with all other available transport aircraft, were pulled from training schools to reinforce the ''Luftwaffe''{{'}}s transport force in its attempt to supply the German [[6th Army (Wehrmacht)|6th Army]] [[Battle of Stalingrad#Sixth Army surrounded|besieged at Stalingrad]], although this attempt was soon ended due to [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] advances.

The Ju 86P, which emerged in early 1940, could reach high altitudes because of its longer [[wingspan]], [[Cabin pressurization|pressurized]] cabin, and [[Junkers Jumo 205|Junkers Jumo 207A-1]] turbocharged diesel engines. It was used for reconnaissance aircraft and as a nuisance bomber over England until interception by modified [[Supermarine Spitfire]]s led to its withdrawal. At one point, Junkers was developing the ''Ju 86R'', fitted with even larger wings and new engines, to attain even higher altitudes, but this model never progressed beyond the prototype stage. Today, only a single Ju 86 is known to exist; it is on permanent static display at the [[Swedish Air Force Museum]] outside [[Linköping]].

==Design and development==
===Background===
The origins of the Junkers Ju 86 are closely linked to the clandestine build-up of ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' during the mid-1930s.<ref name = "smithkay 370">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 370.</ref> During 1934, the recently created German [[Ministry of Aviation (Nazi Germany)|''Reichsluftfahrtministerium'']] (RLM) and the German [[flag carrier]] [[Deutsche Luft Hansa]] worked together to produce a specification for a twin use aircraft, capable of operating both as a high-speed airliner for Deutsche Luft Hansa and as a medium bomber for the Luftwaffe. Distinct civil and military variants of the aircraft were sought; however, where the requirements were not fully compatible with one another, it was deemed that military needs took precedence over those of the civil side of the programme.<ref name="Dessauer p15">Green and Swanborough 1982, p. 15.</ref><ref name = "smithkay 370"/>

Two German aircraft manufacturers, [[Junkers]] and [[Heinkel]], were both approached regarding this specification; each company received an initial order for five prototypes (three military and two civil) of their designs, these being the Ju 86 and [[Heinkel He&nbsp;111]] respectively.<ref name="Dessauer p15"/><ref name = "smithkay 371"/> Junkers' opted for a low-winged twin-engined [[monoplane]] that featured all-metal [[stressed skin]] construction. Unlike the majority of Junkers' previous designs, the Ju 86 discarded the typical corrugated skinning in favour of smooth metal skinning, which helped to reduce [[Drag (physics)#Aerodynamics|drag]].<ref name = "smithkay 3701">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 370-371.</ref> It was intended to be powered by [[Junkers Jumo&nbsp;205]] [[diesel engine]]s, which although heavy, gave better fuel efficiency than conventional [[petrol]] engines.<ref name="Dessauer p15"/> This decision made the Ju 86 one of the earliest quantity production aircraft to use diesel propulsion.<ref name = "smithkay 370"/>

The wing of the Ju 86, which was tapered, comprised two primary [[Spar (aeronautics)|spar]]s and one auxiliary spar.<ref name = "smithkay 371">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 371.</ref> It was outfitted with distinctive Junkers {{lang|de|doppelflügel}} control surfaces on the wing, similar to those on the [[Junkers Ju&nbsp;52]], that were hinged below the wing's trailing edge, with the outboard section on each side functioning as an [[aileron]], and the inner section functioning as a [[Flap (aeronautics)#Junkers flap|wing flap]].<ref name="Dessauer p18"/><ref name = "smithkay 371"/> The aircraft was fitted with a retractable main-gear [[conventional undercarriage]] with a fixed [[tailwheel]], and [[Twin tail|twin fins and rudders]]. Unusually, the main undercarriage members were attached to the [[wing root]]s and outwardly retracted into recesses within the wings; this arrangement meant that the undercarriage had a particularly narrow track.<ref name = "smithkay 371"/>

The bomber aircraft had a crew of four: a pilot, navigator, radio operator/[[Bombardier (air force)|bombardier]] and gunner. Defensive armament consisted of three [[machine gun]]s: at the nose, at a dorsal position, and within a retractable ventral position. [[Bomb]]s were carried vertically in four fuselage cells behind the cockpit.<ref name="Dessauer p18">Green and Swanborough 1982, p. 18.</ref> The airliner version replaced these bomb cells with seating for ten passengers; furthermore, the fuel tanks were relocated from the fuselage to the wings.<ref name="Dessauer p17"/>

===Into flight===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 141-2401, Flugzeug Junkers Ju 86.jpg|thumb|right|Ju 86 cutaway diagram]]
[[File:Junkers Ju 86, B 3.jpg|thumb|The only complete Junkers Ju 86 remaining (1976)]]
As the Jumo 205 was unavailable when the first prototype airframe was completed, the bomber-configured Ju&nbsp;86ab1 was fitted with [[Siemens-Halske Sh 22|Siemens SAM&nbsp;22]] [[radial engine]]s instead when it performed its [[maiden flight]] on 4&nbsp;November 1934.<ref name="Dessauer p15"/><ref name = "smithkay 371"/> Early flight trials were reportedly demonstrated the prototype to possess unsatisfactory control and stability; modifications were made.<ref name = "smithkay 371"/> The second prototype, which was also a bomber, flew during January 1935. The third Ju&nbsp;86, the first civil prototype, flew on 4&nbsp;April 1935.<ref name="Dessauer p17">Green and Swanborough 1982, p. 17.</ref><ref name = "smithkay 371"/> The fourth and fifth prototypes, which were more representative of production aircraft, were furnished with a new wing design with an increased [[Chord (aeronautics)|chord]], and thereby wing area, towards the tips.<ref name = "smithkay 3712">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 371-372.</ref>

During late 1935, production of both pre-series military and civil aircraft commenced.<ref name="Dessauer p17"/> In April 1936, full-rate production of the Ju&nbsp;86A-1 bomber was achieved. Many of the early modifications made were centred around increasing the aircraft's stability, such as the addition of a spine-like dorsal [[fin]] on the tail end of the fuselage on the Ju 86C.<ref name = "smithkay 373">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 373.</ref> Production was quickly transitioned to the improved Ju 86D, the chief differences of which being a modified tail cone that improved stability and an almost 50 per cent increase in fuel capacity over that of the Ju 86A.<ref name="Dessauer p19">Green and Swanborough 1982, p. 19.</ref><ref name = "smithkay 3734">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 373-374.</ref> During the late 1930s, demand for the type was such that rival firm [[Henschel]] became involved in the production program.<ref name = "smithkay 374">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 374.</ref>

Early use of the Jumo-powered Ju 86 bomber in the [[Spanish Civil War]] showed that it was inferior to the He&nbsp;111, with the diesel engines being unsuitable for rough treatment during combat and thus difficult to keep operational.<ref name="Dressel Luft p22">Dressel and Griel 1994, p. 22.</ref><ref name="smithkay 374"/> Accordingly, production plans of the type were promptly cut back. One Ju&nbsp;86 had already been converted to use radial engines as a testbed for possible export versions, and this showed improved reliability. Production switched to a version powered by the [[BMW&nbsp;132]] engine, the Ju&nbsp;86E, the production of which continued though to 1938.<ref name="Dessauer p27-8">Green and Swanborough 1982, pp. 27–28.</ref><ref name = "smithkay 374"/> The sudden end to production without advance warning meant that there were still enough component parts to construct a further 1,000 aircraft.{{sfn|Suchenwirth|1959|p=26}}

While the Ju 86 was deemphasised as a bomber as time went on, Junker opted to continue development of the aircraft as a high altitude platform for both reconnaissance and bombing missions.<ref name = "smithkay 374"/> The ''Ju 86P'', which possessed a longer [[wingspan]], [[Cabin pressurization|pressurized]] cabin, [[Junkers Jumo 205|Junkers Jumo 207A-1]] turbocharged two-stroke, opposed-piston diesel engines and a two-man crew, could fly higher than 12,000&nbsp;m (39,000&nbsp;ft), where it was felt to be safe from enemy [[Fighter aircraft|fighters]]. Furthermore, it could be produced by remanufacturing existing Ju 86D airframes.<ref name = "smithkay 3745">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 374-375.</ref>

During early 1942, Junkers was working on the Ju 86R, which used even larger wings and new engines and was reportedly capable of reaching even higher altitudes – up to 16,000&nbsp;m (52,500&nbsp;ft) – in order to continue evading increasingly advanced interceptors.<ref name = "smithkay 376"/> While a few aircraft were built and delivered to the ''Luftwaffe'' during 1943, production was limited to a small quantity of aircraft. Further advanced models, such as the Ju 86 R-3 and the Ju 186, but these never left the drawing board.<ref name = "smithkay 3768">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 376-368.</ref>

===Export variants===
[[File:Ju-86K-2 pecs.jpg|left|thumb|Hungarian Ju-86K-2s, 1941]]
Civil variants, introduced in 1936, were designated Ju 86Z in three different models differing in their engines.<ref name = "smithkay 372">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 372.</ref> The Jumo-engined Ju&nbsp;86Z-1 (corresponding to the former B-0 or C-1) was sold to Swissair (one), Airlines of Australia (one), and [[LAN Airlines|LAN-Chile]] (three).<ref name = "smithkay 3723"/> The BMW&nbsp;132H-powered Ju&nbsp;86Z-2 was sold to DLH (two) and the para-military Manchukuo Air Transport (five or more). The [[Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet]]-engined Ju&nbsp;86Z-7 was delivered to [[AB Aerotransport]] (ABA) of Sweden (one, for use as a mail carrier), [[Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano]] (three), and [[South African Airways]] (SAA) (seventeen). The ABA aircraft was later transferred to the [[Swedish Air Force]], with which it served, under the designation Tp&nbsp;9, until 1958. South African Airways' original intention was to have its Ju&nbsp;86s powered by 745&nbsp;hp [[Rolls-Royce Kestrel]]s. Six aircraft for SAA, flown with these engines, were refitted with Hornets before delivery, and the remainder were also Hornet-powered.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

The ''Ju 86K'' was an export model, also [[licensed production|built under license]] in Sweden by Saab as the B&nbsp;3 with (905&nbsp;hp) [[Bristol Mercury]]&nbsp;XIX [[radial engine]]s. Several aircraft remained in service with the [[Swedish Air Force]] until 1958.<ref name="B 3 - Junkers Ju 86K">[http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Bomb/152B3.htm "B 3 - Junkers Ju 86K (1936–1958)"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213165915/http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Bomb/152B3.htm |date=2007-12-13 }}. ''Avrosys.nu''. Retrieved: 23 July 2009.</ref> A few were converted for [[signals intelligence|radio interception]] activities.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Andersson |first1 = Lennart |first2 = Leif |last2 = Hellström |title = Bortom Horisonten: Svensk Flygspaning mot Sovjetunionen 1946–1952 |location = Stockholm, Sweden |publisher = Stenbom |date = 2002 |ISBN = 978-91-7243-015-0}}</ref>

==Operational history==
The bomber was field-tested in the [[Spanish Civil War]] by the [[Condor Legion]]. Four Ju 86D-1s arrived in Spain in early February 1937, but after a few sorties one of them was shot down in late February–early March 1937 by [[Republican faction (Spanish Civil War)|Republican]] fighters. A replacement aircraft was sent from Germany, but after two more were damaged in landing accidents, the remaining two aircraft were sold to the [[Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War)|Nationalist]] air force, where they remained in service until at least the end of the Civil War. The Ju 86 had proved to be generally inferior to the [[Heinkel He 111]] evaluated at the same time.<ref name="Dessauer p20-1">Green and Swanborough 1982, pp. 20–21.</ref>

A single [[Organization of the Luftwaffe (1933–1945)#Gruppe|''Gruppe'']] of Ju 86 bombers ([[Kampfgeschwader 1|III KG 1]] "Hindenburg") remained in operational service at the start of the [[Second World War]] and were used in the [[invasion of Poland]], but replaced soon after. The diesel-engined Ju 86A and Ds were quickly retired while the radial-engined Ju 86E and Gs were transferred to bomber training schools.<ref name="Dessauer p28">Green and Swanborough 1982, p. 28.</ref> Soon after the conflict started, the {{lang|de|[[Luftflotte]]}} (Air Fleet) commanders raided their training schools for [[Junkers Ju 52|Ju&nbsp;52s]] as transport aircraft, together with their experienced aircrew instructors.{{sfn|Suchenwirth|1959|pp=21–22}} This depletion continued with the formation of special bomber crews for the invasions of [[Norwegian Campaign|Norway]], the [[German invasion of the Netherlands|Low Countries]], and [[Invasion of Crete|Crete]].{{sfn|Suchenwirth|1959|pp=25, 33}} This was to a severe blow to the pilot training programme, and {{lang|de|[[Oberstleutnant]]}} Lt-Colonel [[Paul Deichmann]], Chief of Staff to the Luftwaffe's Chief of Training [[Helmuth Wilberg]] suggested that Ju 86s with dual controls and instruments could be easily produced to replace the appropriated Ju&nbsp;52s. However, his contention that "the need for air transport services would soon reach tremendous proportions" was simply brushed aside by the commander-in-chief of the ''Luftwaffe'', [[Hermann Göring]].{{sfn|Suchenwirth|1959|p=26}}

In late 1942, all available aircraft, including Ju 86s, were pulled out of the training schools to reinforce the ''Luftwaffe''{{'}}s transport force in its attempt to supply the German [[6th Army (Wehrmacht)|6th Army]], [[Battle of Stalingrad#Sixth Army surrounded|besieged at Stalingrad]]. The Ju 86s formed two transport ''Gruppen'', equipped with 58 aircraft, operating out of [[Tatsinskaya Airfield]]. They were unsuited to the transport role, and suffered heavy losses (42 Ju 86s were lost by the end of January 1943) before being forced out of the airlift when the Soviets captured Tatsinskaya, not having the range to reach Stalingrad from the replacement airfields.<ref name="Dessauer p28"/><ref>Hooton 2016, pp. 141–142, 145–146.</ref> More than 40 Ju 86s were lost in this endeavour while the survivors were reallocated to training bomber crews.<ref name="Dessauer p28"/><ref name = "smithkay 377">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 377.</ref>

Ju 86s operated by the Allies in the Second World War included 17<ref name=youtube/>{{efn|18 units had been delivered to the airline during the interwar years <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.saamuseum.co.za/saa-history.html | title=How We Began }}</ref><ref name = "smithkay 3723">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 372-373.</ref>}} early-model units that had been in use by [[South African Airways]]. When the conflict broke out, these aircraft were militarised and armed as bombers with defensive guns and external bomb racks. These aircraft were initially used for coastal patrols along with the sole Ju 86K-1, playing an important role in the interception of the German [[blockade runner]] {{ill|SS Watussi|lt=SS ''Watussi''|de|Watussi (Schiff)}} in December 1939. In May 1940, they were used to re-equip [[12 Squadron SAAF|No. 12 Squadron SAAF]], which was deployed in the [[East African Campaign (World War II)|East African Campaign]] from June 1940. It flew its first bombing missions on 14 June 1940.<ref>Green 1968, p. 41.</ref> As more modern aircraft became available, the South African Ju 86s were passed from squadron to squadron, seeing their last use with [[No. 22 Squadron SAAF]], which used it along with the [[Avro Anson]] in the coastal reconnaissance role, finally retiring its Ju 86s in September 1942.<ref>Green 1968, p. 42.</ref>

During March 1939, Hungary used its Ju 86s to bomb [[Slovakia]]n airfields and defensive positions during the [[Slovak–Hungarian War]]. From June 1941, Hungary's Ju 86s began to be replaced by Italian [[Caproni Ca.135]] bombers. An independent bomber squadron, equipped with a mix of Ju 86s and Ca 135s was deployed in support of the Hungarian [[Gyorshadtest]] (or Fast Corps) during [[Operation Barbarossa|the German-led invasion of the Soviet Union]]. However, the Ju 86 was withdrawn from front line service by Hungary during 1942.<ref>Green and Swanborough 1982, pp. 26–27.</ref>

[[File:Junkers Ju 86P high altitude reconnaissance plane c1940.jpg|thumb|right|A Ju 86P high-[[altitude]] [[reconnaissance aircraft]], with Jumo 207 [[Turbocharger|turbocharged]] [[Diesel engine|diesel]] powerplants.]]
In January 1940, the ''Luftwaffe'' evaluated the prototype ''Ju 86P'', which could fly higher than 12,000&nbsp;m (39,000&nbsp;ft), where it was felt to be safe from enemy [[Fighter aircraft|fighters]].<ref name = "smithkay 375">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 375.</ref> The British [[Westland Welkin]] and Soviet [[Yakovlev Yak-9]]PD were developed specifically to counter this threat.<ref>James 1982, p. 115.</ref> Satisfied with the trials of the Ju 86P prototype, the ''Luftwaffe'' ordered that some 40 older-model bombers be converted to ''Ju 86P-1'' high-[[altitude]] bombers and ''Ju 86P-2'' photo-[[reconnaissance aircraft]], with pressurized fuselage, no armament, and a crew of two.<ref name=youtube>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WDkj0ZYuiA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/8WDkj0ZYuiA |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Germany's U-2: WWII's Highest Air Combat |publisher=Mark Felton Productions |date=23 January 2020 |work=youtube |access-date=21 June 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name = "smithkay 3756">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 375-376.</ref>

The Ju 86P operated successfully for some years over Britain, the [[Soviet Union]] and North Africa.<ref name = "smithkay 376">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 376.</ref> During early 1941, the reconnaissance version flew sorties over Britain, but these stopped when Hitler invaded Russia ([[Operation Barbarossa]]). By mid-1942, the pressurized bomber version was available, and flew about a dozen nuisance raids over southern England.{{efn|Each bomber carried a single 250kg bomb, so most drops caused little damage. However, a hit in the middle of Bristol during rush hour killed 48 people and caused major damage.}} The RAF created a special interception squadron equipped with modified [[Supermarine Spitfire]] Mk IXs, leading to one bomber attempting a raid on [[Portsmouth]] being intercepted and damaged on 12 September 1942. After this, no further flights over England were attempted.<ref name=youtube/> In August 1942, a modified Spitfire Mk V shot down a Ju 86P over [[Egypt]] at an altitude of 14,500&nbsp;m (49,000&nbsp;ft). After the loss of two more aircraft, the Ju 86P was withdrawn from service in 1943.<ref name = "smithkay 376"/>

A single unit operated the ''Ju 86R'', which was capable of even greater altitudes than the Ju 86P, between 1943 and mid 1944.<ref name="smithkay 376"/>

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:Junkers Ju 86K-4 Flygvapenmuseum b.jpg|thumb|right|The only remaining complete Junkers Ju 86, displayed at the Swedish Air Force Museum]]
Only one Junkers Ju 86 is known to exist today. The aircraft was built in Germany and sold to Sweden in 1938. Before it was retired from Swedish service in 1958, the aircraft was used in the 1955 movie ''[[Des Teufels General]]''. It is on permanent static display at the [[Swedish Air Force Museum]] near [[Linköping]].<ref>Sundgren 2011, p. 23.</ref>

==Variants==
===Prototypes===
;Ju 86abl
:First bomber prototype.
;Ju 86bal
:Second transport prototype.
;Ju 86cb
:Third bomber prototype.
;Ju 86V4
:Prototype for the Ju 86B commercial transport aircraft.
;Ju 86V5
:Prototype for the Ju 86A bomber aircraft.
===Production models===
;Ju 86A-0
:13 pre-production bomber aircraft.
;Ju 86A-1
:Initial bomber version.
;Ju 86B-0
:Seven pre-production transport aircraft.
;Ju 86C-1
:Six transport aircraft for Deutsche Luft Hansa, powered by two [[Junkers Jumo 205]]C diesel engines.
;Ju 86D-1
:Bomber version.
;Ju 86E-1
:Bomber version for the ''Luftwaffe'', powered by two [[BMW 132]]F radial engines.
;Ju 86E-2
:Powered by two BMW 132N radials.
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 141-2402, Flugzeug Junkers Ju 86.jpg|thumb|right|Ju 86G - note the radial engines and rounded glazed nose]]
;Ju 86G-1
:Fitted with a round glass nose.
;Ju 86E-2
:Uprated version of the Ju 86E-1.
;Ju 86K-1
:Export version for South Africa and Sweden.
[[File:Repülőtér, Junkers Ju-86 repülőgépek. Fortepan 9202.jpg|thumb|Hungarian Ju 86K-2]]
;Ju 86K-2
:Export version for Hungary.
;Ju 86K-4
:Export version for Sweden, similar to the Ju 86K-1, but fitted with two [[Bristol Pegasus]] III radials.
;Ju 86K-5
:Swedish-built bomber aircraft, powered by two Swedish-built Bristol Pegasus XII radials.
;Ju 86K-6
:Export version for Chile
;Ju 86K-7
:Export version for Austria and Portugal<ref>{{cite web | url=https://altimagem.blogspot.com/2012/12/53-junkers-ju-86.html | title=Altimagem: Junkers Ju-86 | date=2012 }}</ref>{{efn| According to a source, the ten aircraft received by Portugal were the K-7 version}} with BMW 132 radials.<ref>Haubner 1982, {{page needed|date=September 2024}}.</ref>
;Ju 86K-13
:Swedish-built bomber aircraft, fitted with Swedish or Polish-built Pegasus engines.
;Ju 86P-1
:High-altitude bomber version, fitted with two Jumo 207 diesel engines and with [[turbocharger]]s.
;Ju 86P-2
:High-altitude photo reconnaissance version, still equipped for bombing. Same engines as P-1.
;Ju 86R-1
:High-altitude photo reconnaissance version. Retained Jumo 207 engines.
;Ju 86R-2
:High-altitude bomber version.
;Ju 86R-3
:Powered by two Jumo 208 engines.
;Ju 86Z series
:Civil export models
===Proposals===
;Ju 186
:Proposed four-engined high-altitude bomber aircraft. Not built.
;Ju 286
:Proposed six-engined high-altitude bomber aircraft. Not built.
;K 85
:Proposed torpedo bomber version for the Swedish Air Force.

== Operators ==

=== Military operators ===
;Austria
* [[Austrian Air Force (1927–1938)|Austrian Air Force]]
;Bolivia
* [[Bolivian Air Force]]
;Chile
* [[Chilean Air Force]]
;Germany
* ''[[Luftwaffe]]''
;Hungary
* [[Royal Hungarian Air Force]]
;Portugal
* [[Portuguese Air Force]]
;Romania
* [[Romanian Air Force]]
;South Africa
* [[South African Air Force]]: The SAAF operated 18 aircraft, 17 Ju 86Z and one Ju 86K (from [[South African Airways]]). These aircraft were operated by [[12 Squadron SAAF|12 Squadron]] and [[16 Squadron SAAF|16 Squadron]]<ref>[http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/aircraft/175/ju-86-k-3-z "The Air Force: Aircraft Ju 86 K-3 / Z."] ''saairforce.co.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Emergency bomber|url=http://www.ww2incolor.com/other/SAAF-JU86Z.html|work=www.ww2incolor.com|access-date=5 May 2013}}</ref>
;Spain
* [[Spanish Air Force]]
;Sweden
* [[Swedish Air Force]]<ref name="B 3 - Junkers Ju 86K"/><ref>[http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Torped/193T3.htm "T 3 - Junkers Ju 86K."] ''Avrosys.nu''. Retrieved: 23 July 2009.</ref>

===Civil operators===
[[File:Ju86 Manchukuo Airways M-223.jpg|thumb|right|Junkers Ju 86Z, Manchukuo National Airways. M-223 "Huánglóng"]]
[[File:Junkers Ju-86 B-1, HB-IXE on the ground in Dübendorf (LBS SR01-01137).jpg|thumb|right|Ju 86B-1 of [[Swissair|Swiss Air Lines]]]]
;Australia
* Southern Airlines and Freighters of Australia<ref name="stdp337"/>
;Bolivia
* [[Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano]]<ref name="stdp337"/>
;Chile
* [[LAN Chile]]<ref name="stdp337"/>
;Germany
* [[Deutsche Luft Hansa]]<ref name="stdp336">Stroud 1966, p. 336.</ref>
;;Manchukuo (Manchuria)
* [[Manchukuo National Airways]]<ref name="stdp3378">Stroud 1966, pp. 337–338.</ref>
;South Africa
* [[South African Airways]]<ref name="stdp3367">Stroud 1966, pp. 336–337.</ref>
;Spanish State
* [[Iberia Airlines]]
;Sweden
* [[AB Aerotransport]]<ref name="stdp337">Stroud 1966, p. 337.</ref><ref>[http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Transport/259Tp9.htm "Tp 9 – Junkers Ju 86Z-7 (1940–1958)"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205185812/http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Transport/259Tp9.htm |date=2007-12-05 }}. ''Avrosys.nu''. Retrieved: 23 July 2009.</ref>
;Switzerland
* [[Swissair]]<ref name="stdp336"/>

== Specifications (Ju 86R-1) ==
[[File:Junkers Ju-86 K.svg|right|thumb|3-side view of the Ju 86K]]

{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?= met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|ref= ''The warplanes of the Third Reich'',<ref name=Green>{{cite book |last1=Green |first1=William |title=The warplanes of the Third Reich |date=1972 |publisher=Doubleday |location=London, UK |isbn=0385057822 |pages=414–427 |edition=1st}}</ref> ''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II''<ref name=janes>Bridgeman 1946, p. 171.</ref> and Warbirds Resource Group<ref name=wrg>[http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/ju86.html "Junkers Ju 86."] ''Warbirds Resource Group''. Retrieved: 23 July 2009.</ref>
|crew= two (pilot and radio operator)
|capacity=
|length m= 16.46
|span m= 32
|height m= 4.08
|wing area sqm= 97.06
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg= 6,780
|gross weight kg=
|max takeoff weight kg= 11,530
|fuel capacity= {{cvt|1937|L|USgal impgal}}
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 2
|eng1 name= [[Junkers Jumo 207B-3]]
|eng1 type= six-cylinder liquid-cooled two-stroke opposed-piston diesel engines
|eng1 hp= 1,000
|eng1 note= for take-off
:::{{cvt|750|hp|order=flip}} at {{cvt|40000|ft|order=flip}} with [[GM-1]] [[Nitrous Oxide]] injection

|prop blade number= 4
|prop name= constant-speed propellers
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh= 420
|max speed note= at {{cvt|9000|m}}
:::{{cvt|370|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|9000|m}}
|cruise speed kmh= 250
|cruise speed note= at {{cvt|13700|m}}
|stall speed kmh=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|range km= 1,750
|combat range km=
|ferry range km=
|endurance= seven hours and ten minutes
|ceiling m= 14,400
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=
|bombs=
|rockets=
|missiles=
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
|similar aircraft=
* [[Heinkel He 111]]
* [[Dornier Do 17]]
* [[Fokker T.V]]
* [[Savoia-Marchetti SM.79]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
* [[List of military aircraft of Germany]]
|see also=
* [[Aerial reconnaissance in World War II]]
}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|2}}

===Bibliography===
<!---possibly an error, nothing there on that page about the Ju 86 * Buttler, Tony. "Small but Perfectly Formed (Database). ''Aeroplane Monthly'', June 2005, p. 68. --->
* {{cite book |last=Bridgeman |first=Leonard |title=The Junkers Ju 86P and Ju 86R: Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II |publisher=Studio |location=London, UK |year=1946 |language=en |isbn=1-85170-493-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Dressel |first=Joachim |last2=Griehl |first2=Manfred |title=Bombers of the Luftwaffe |publisher=Arms and Armour Press |location=London, UK |year=1994 |language=en |isbn=1-85409-140-9}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Goss |first1=Chris |title=Zigzag dans le ciel de l'Angleterre: des Ju 86 bombardent à haute altitude en 1942 |journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=May 2019 |issue=594 |pages=68–75 |issn=0757-4169 |language=fr |trans-title=Zigzag in British Skies: The Ju 86 High-altitude Bombardment in 1942}}
* {{cite book |last=Green |first=William |title=War Planes of the Second World War: Volume Ten Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft |publisher=Macdonald |location=London, UK |language=en |year=1968}}
* {{cite magazine |last1=Green |first1=William |last2=Swanborough |first2=Gordon |title=Junkers Ju 86 ... The Dimorphus Dessauer |magazine=Air Enthusiast |volume=20 |date=December 1982 – March 1983 |pages=15–30 |publisher=Pilot Press |language=en |location=Bromley, UK}}
* {{cite book |last = Haubner |first = F. |title = Die Flugzeuge der Österreichischen Luftstreitkräfte vor 1938 |location = Graz, Germany |language = de |publisher = H Weishaupt Verlag |year = 1982}}
* {{cite book |last=Hooton |first=E. R. |title=War Over the Steppes: The Air Campaigns on the Eastern Front 1941–45 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford |year=2016 |language=en |isbn=978-1-4728-1562-0}}
* {{cite book |last=James |first=Derek N. |title=Westland: A History |publisher=Tempus Publishing Ltd. |location=Gloucestershire, UK |year=2002 |language=en |isbn=0-7524-2772-5}}
* {{cite book |last = Lawrence |first = Joseph |title = The Observer's Book Of Airplanes |location = London and New York |publisher = Frederick Warne & Co |language=en |year = 1945}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=J.R. |last2=Kay |first2=Antony L. |title=German Aircraft of the Second World War |publisher=Putnam |location=London, UK |year=1972 |language=en |isbn=0-85177-836-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Stroud |first=John |title=European Transport Aircraft since 1910 |publisher=Putnam |location=London, UK |year=1966 |language=en}}
* {{cite book <!-- {{sfn|Suchenwirth|1959|p -->  |last=Suchenwirth |first=Richard |title=Historical Turning Points in the German Air Force War Effort |editor-last=Kennedy |editor-first=Edward P. |date=1959 |publisher=USAF Historical Division, Air University |series=USAF Historical Studies No. 189 |language=en |url=https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/151-200/AFD-090521-089.pdf}}
* {{cite book |last=Sundgren |first=Anita |title=Flygvapenmuseum: The Swedish Air Force Museum |publisher=Edita Västra Aros AB |location=Linköping, Sweden |year=2011 |language=en |isbn=978-91-633-8910-8}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last = Zuerl |first = Walter |title = Deutsche Flugzeug Konstrukteure |location = München, Germany |publisher = Curt Pechstein Verlag |year = 1941 |language=de}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927211217/http://www.plastikowe.pl/galerie/lotnictwo/junkers-ju-86k-4-b-3c Photo gallery of Junkers Ju 86K-4]
* [http://www.deutscheluftwaffe.com/archiv/Dokumente/ABC/j/Junkers/Ju%2086/Ju%2086%20G-0%20Betriebsanleitung.pdf WW II German operating manual for Ju 86 G-1]
* [http://www.deutscheluftwaffe.com/archiv/Dokumente/ABC/j/Junkers/Ju%2086/Ju%2086%20P-1%20P-2%20Bedienvorschrift.pdf WW II German manual for Ju 86 P-1]

{{Junkers aircraft}}
{{AircraftDesignationNavboxShell
  |1={{RLM aircraft designations}}
  |2={{Japanese Navy short aircraft designations}}
  |3={{Swedish military aircraft designations}}
  |4={{Spanish bombers}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Junkers aircraft|Ju 086]]
[[Category:1930s German airliners]]
[[Category:1930s German bomber aircraft]]
[[Category:1940s German military reconnaissance aircraft]]
[[Category:Diesel-engined aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1934]]
[[Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft]]