The original Ju-86 was conceived in 1934 as an airliner that could be converted over to a bomber during the secret build-up of the Luftwaffe. By the time it was ready it had fought in the Spanish Civil War but then the speed vunerability became a problem. The D-model was underpowered with engines only providing 750 hp. The E-model increased engine performance to 850 hp and this was sufficient for the 1939 bombing of Poland. But the designers thought up a new use for the older bomber now that the He-111 and Do-17 were active. They pressurized the cockpit and turbocharged the Jumo 207A and B diesel engines to produce 1000 hp each. This increased speed from 200 mph to 265 mph and also allowed the recon machine to reach 42,650 ft which was thought impossible at the time. Ju-86P-1s and 2s performed recon over the USSR with immunity in 1941 prior to the invasion. Wingspan was increased from 74 ft to 85 ft. But a further model, the R-1 extended them out to 105 ft and was used against Britain in 1941-42. The RAF had no answer intially and so the R-1s gathered recon with immunity... until several Spitfires had engine mods which allowed them to approach from underneath and fire at the bomber's belly! These were Spitfires Mk. HF IXe aircraft. With that vunerability, the R-1s were finished by 1943. They had a series of small victories for a time but were eventually overcome; however, one machine made it to an altitude of 47,500 ft which no other WW2 bomber nor recon aircraft reached! Only the Me-163 Komet rocket fighter could reach higher at 54,000 ft!

http://1000aircraftphotos.com/401Squadron/Ju86PL.jpg http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/spyww2/ju86r/ju86r-3.jpg http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/spyww2/ju86r/ju86r-1.jpg