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Ju 390

Junkers · Long-range transport/maritime patrol/bomber · Germany · WWII (1939–1945)

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The Junkers Ju 390 was a German six-engine long-range bomber / transport — a proposed Amerikabomber capable of reaching New York from European bases. Heinrich Hertel designed the Ju 390 in 1942-1943 as an enlarged Ju 290 derivative; the first prototype (Ju 390 V1) first flew on 20 October 1943. Only 2 prototypes were built (V1 + V2); the programme was cancelled in 1944. The aircraft is famous for unverified post-war claims of a 1944 reconnaissance flight to within 20 km of New York City.

The Ju 390 used 6 × BMW 801E 14-cylinder radial engines (1,800 hp each). Maximum speed 480 km/h, range 9,700 km (Ju 390 V1), 12,000+ km (proposed Ju 390 V2). Bomb load 1,800 kg internal (proposed). Defensive armament: similar to Ju 290 with multiple machine guns + cannons. The aircraft's 50.5-metre wingspan made it the largest German aircraft to fly during WWII (the larger Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant was a powered glider derivative).

Ju 390 development was abandoned in 1944 due to Luftwaffe priorities (fighter defence over heavy-bomber production), Allied bombing of Junkers plants, and lack of long-range doctrine for trans-Atlantic operations. Famous post-war claims that a Ju 390 flew within 20 km of New York City in 1944 (reported in some 1950s-era aviation literature) are unverified by surviving Luftwaffe records + are widely regarded as wartime propaganda or post-war exaggeration. Both Ju 390 prototypes were destroyed in spring 1945 — V1 in air raid + V2 in factory destruction. About 0 Ju 390 airframes survive.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Junkers Ju 390 was a huge German airplane built during World War Two. It had six engines and very long wings. It was designed to fly very long distances without stopping.

A designer named Heinrich Hertel created the Ju 390 in 1942 and 1943. It was based on a smaller plane called the Ju 290. The first Ju 390 took to the skies on October 20, 1943.

The Ju 390 had a wingspan of about 50 meters. That is longer than four school buses parked end to end. This made it the largest German airplane to fly in World War Two.

Only two of these planes were ever built. The program was stopped in 1944. Germany needed fighter planes more than big bombers at that time. Enemy bombing of the Junkers factories also made building more planes very hard.

After the war, some people claimed a Ju 390 once flew close to New York City on a scouting trip. But this story was never proved. It remains one of aviation's great mysteries.

Fun Facts

The Ju 390 had six powerful engines, each one strong enough to push a large truck at top speed.
Its wingspan was longer than four school buses lined up end to end!
The Ju 390 could fly over 9,700 kilometers — far enough to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
It was the largest German airplane to actually fly during World War Two.
Only two Ju 390 planes were ever built before the whole project was shut down.
Some people claim a Ju 390 once flew to within just 20 kilometers of New York City, but no one has proved it.
The plane could carry a big load of bombs inside its body on planned missions.
The Ju 390 was designed to fly from Europe all the way to America and back.

Kids’ Questions

How many engines did the Ju 390 have?

The Ju 390 had six engines. Each engine was a large 14-cylinder radial type. Together they gave the plane enough power to fly very fast and very far.

Did a Ju 390 really fly near New York City?

Some people claimed after the war that a Ju 390 flew close to New York City on a scouting trip in 1944. But no solid proof has ever been found. Most experts think the story is not true.

Why was the Ju 390 program stopped?

Germany needed fighter planes more than big long-range bombers in 1944. Enemy planes also bombed the Junkers factories, making it hard to build more aircraft. So the whole Ju 390 project was shut down.

How big was the Ju 390?

The Ju 390 had a wingspan of about 50 meters. That made it longer than four school buses side by side. It was the biggest German plane to fly in World War Two.

Variants

Ju 390 V1 + V2 (only 2 built): Two prototypes only. V1 (1943) + V2 (1944). Both destroyed by spring 1945.

Notable Operators

Luftwaffe (test programme only): Sole user. Test programmes 1943-1944. No in-service deployment confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did a Ju 390 actually reach New York?

Probably not. The famous claim of a August 1944 Ju 390 reconnaissance flight to within 20 km of New York originated in 1950s post-war aviation literature + has been repeated in subsequent histories. Surviving Luftwaffe records do not confirm such a mission. Most modern aviation historians regard the claim as unverified — possibly wartime German propaganda intended to demoralise Americans, possibly post-war exaggeration by former Luftwaffe personnel. The Ju 390's range (9,700 km from V1; 12,000+ km from V2 proposed) could theoretically have reached New York from Norwegian or French bases, but no contemporary evidence supports the specific mission claim.

How is the Ju 390 different from the Ju 290?

The Ju 390 is the enlarged 6-engine derivative of the 4-engine Ju 290. Same general airframe concept but at greatly-increased scale — 50.5-m wingspan (vs. Ju 290's 42 m), 6 engines (vs. 4), 9,700+ km range (vs. Ju 290's 6,150 km). The Ju 390 was specifically designed for trans-Atlantic operations the Ju 290 could not perform.

Why was the Ju 390 cancelled?

By 1944 the Luftwaffe had no doctrine for transatlantic long-range bombing. Resources were directed to fighter defence + V-weapons. Allied bombing of Junkers plants disrupted production. Only 2 prototypes were completed before programme cancellation in mid-1944. Both prototypes were destroyed in spring 1945.

Sources

Wikipedia — Junkers Ju 390