The origins of the Ju 290 went back to 1936, when the Do 19 and Ju 89 long-distance bombers were cancelled after the death of general Walther Wever. Development of long-range bombers did not stop, but was delayed until more advanced aircraft could be delivered. This decision is controversial, but with hindsight it was probably sensible. The Ju 89, designed by Dr. Ernst Zindel, would never enter production, although the two prototypes were used by the Luftwaffe in 1940.
The Ju 290 replaced the Fw 200 as long-range reconnaissance aircraft in the autumn of 1943, the crews were given a far more capable aircraft than the old Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor. But only 65 Ju 290s were built, and the total number of aircraft available was never higher than about 20. It was definitely a case of too little, too late.
