Why did the Ju 87R-1 have long range?

Short answer

Because the R series was the long-range version of the Ju 87 B, the R standing for Reichweite, "(operational) range." A B-series airframe gained an extra oil tank and lines to the outer wing hardpoints for two 300-litre (79 US gal) drop tanks, raising fuel capacity to 1,080 litres (290 US gal).

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIC

Reichweite: a long-range version

A long-range version of the Ju 87 B was also built, known as the Ju 87 R, the letter abbreviating Reichweite, "(operational) range". The Ju 87 R started from a B-series airframe to which a supplementary oil tank and fuel lines to the outer wing racks were added, to allow the use of two underwing drop tanks of standardised 300-litre (79 US gal) capacity. This raised fuel capacity to 1,080 litres (290 US gal): 500 litres in the main tank, of which 480 were usable, plus 600 litres from the drop tanks.

Differences from the Ju 87 B

The Stukageschwader were equipped with the new Ju 87 R, which differed from the Ju 87 B in its greater internal fuel capacity and the two underwing drop tanks, which gave it more range.

In the Norwegian campaign

Operation Weserübung began on 9 April 1940 with the invasions of Norway and Denmark. One of the groups of Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 was placed under the command of the air corps and based at Kiel-Holtenau, with 39 Ju 87s. That force was a mix of Ju 87 Bs and Ju 87 Rs.