After publishing this article, we received additional information regarding the history of this aircraft.
Joe Scheil, a writer for Air Classics magazine, critiqued our report from Vintage Aviation News about a supposed Junkers Ju 87G Stuka acquired by a Russian museum. Scheil argues that the aircraft is not an authentic survivor but rather a replica built in Berlin, incorporating only a few original, unusable components. He emphasizes that such misrepresentations can mislead enthusiasts and distort historical records. Given the increasing value of WWII aircraft, he stresses the importance of accuracy in aviation history to prevent misinformation and preserve authenticity.
Because we are committed to both aviation history and accurate reporting, we are adding this clarification:
The Ju 87G Stuka in Russia is, in fact, a replica constructed in Berlin by a craftsman named Holger as a tribute to the original aircraft. While it includes some corroded and unusable original parts, the majority of the structure is newly fabricated using untreated materials and pop rivets, making it non-airworthy. Despite its convincing appearance, it is not a genuine survivor and should not be listed as such.
At the time of our initial report, we did not have access to these details. It was never our intention to mislead aviation enthusiasts, and we appreciate the opportunity to correct the record. As WWII aircraft continue to gain historical and monetary significance, ensuring accurate documentation remains essential to preserving authenticity.
Moreno Aguiari – Publisher
A rare Luftwaffe bomber, the Junkers JU-87G-2, manufactured in 1944, was delivered to the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company’s (UMMC) museum complex in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. Only a few of these aircraft remain in the world, and the delivery was organized to bypass sanctions prohibiting the import of collectible items into Russia, as reported by Vyorstka.
According to customs documentation, the aircraft was brought into Russia via Kyrgyzstan by the company “Edermont Pamir,” registered to Russian citizen Yevgeny Kabanov. He had previously attempted to circumvent sanctions by arranging the import of a private plane from Sweden through Lithuania. In February 2023, the Junkers crossed the border, though the final destination was not indicated in the documents. Months later, it was revealed that the plane ended up in the UMMC museum collection.
According to Rima Media, an employee of the museum complex told Vorstka that the Junkers they received were assembled from the remains of several aircraft found in Austria. The restoration of the bomber was apparently carried out by the German company Flug Werk—it was the company indicated by the sender in the customs declaration. At the same time, the aircraft was delivered by order from the JG‑5 company in Arizona. How the American company is connected with UMMC is unknown. Now Five, including this one, Junkers Ju87s are known to survive, one at the Royal Air Force Museum in London one the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Two aircraft are being restored by the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum and the American Heritage Museum.
She is the quintessential plane of the war, recognized universally as the bird EVERYONE knows, and this specimen is a beautiful example of modern engineering. The tank buster version is even more rare!! But why do the Russians want it?? It destroyed so much of their tank forces across the Eastern front?? RIP Erick Rudel…
Was completely obsolete by 1940. But they were too busy with wunderwaffe to come up with anything to replace it.
And the Austin-built Hurricane which used to be displayed in Moscow is lurking there too, I knew it was there but this is the first time I have seen it in a photograph.
I’ve seen the one in Chicago a couple of times (there’s a beautiful U-boat there as well). It is one of those planes that is instantly recognizable…..slow, vulnerable without fighter support the Stuka was a versatile ground attack aircraft. I think they are what you’d call ugly/pretty. So ugly that you have to like them.
Looks like a really unique restoration, or partial replica. I didn’t know objects such as this are covered by sanctions. Punishment is really to extremes here…..but I guess if there is a will, there is a way to get around anything.
The Ju87 proved itself in the Spanish Civil War and was effective , in the early stages of WWII, when it showed its capabilities as a vertical dive bomber. However, once pitted against Spitfires and Hurricanes of the RAF it showed that it was no match for them and was very quickly withdrawn from front line service.