https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dive_bomberThe origins of the Dive Bomber are perhaps best spelled out in the Wiki page above. While many others saw the utility of the dive bomber in the 1930’s I feel that the USN’s “inspiring” of Ernst Udet was the point where the immortal Ju-87 was born. After the shattering use of that aircraft a requirement for dive bombing affected many German aircraft designs negatively for years (He-177 for example) and spawned many hoped for imitators...A-35 Vengence, and saved the Mustang production line with the A-36.
I think this aircraft is the overlooked father of the modern dive bomber....