Junkers Ju 52

Juncker Family History Ju 52

Three-engine, propeller-driven aircraft were briefly popular during the two world warsafter World War I (1914-1918) and before World War II (1939-1945). The Ford Tri-Motor became an American icon, while the Junkers Ju 52 from Germany. Interestingly, the latter, known for its versatility as a German war machine transport, was actually used as a bomber by the US Air Force. When the platform's service as a bomber became apparent, the guy continued his storied career as a generalist.

There are nearly forty operators worldwide, from Argentina and Austria to Uruguay and Yugoslavia.

Junkers engineers began work on a new three-engine aircraft based on their previous W33 series. The W33 was built in 199 from 1927 to 1934. Work on the new model, essentially a larger version, started in 1930 and continued to use the corrugated iron that Junkers debuted with the CL in World War I. 1 Monoplane skin.

The first flight of the prototype was recorded on October 13, 1930.

In Germany, the Luftwaffe, which secretly carried out a military procurement and training program, ordered a form of militarization for use as bombers and transport as a temporary measure to await the results of the Dornier Do 11 medium bomber project. A pair of 7.92mm MG 15 series machine guns were added and two bomb bays were freed up to carry conventional throwing weapons up to 3,000 pounds.

When the Do 11 program failed, the Luftwaffe paid extra attention to the procurement of more Ju 52s, making the Junkers product the Reich's first medium bomber.

Like other modern German war machines, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) became a testing ground for the Ju 52. The German government supported the struggle of the fascist nationalists against the established republicans, which were dominated by the Ju 52 Soviet Union.

In this operational area, the Ju 52 can be used both as a bomber and as a transport.

When Germany invaded neighbouring Poland in September 1939, the Ju 52 was again used in whatever role was required, although by this time the Luftwaffe had acquired several bomb platforms dedicated to the front line. Ju 52s were used to transport German paratroopers and supplies, while also conducting some bombing raids. Then came the VIP form of transport (in fact, the Ju 52 carried Adolf Hitler several times), as did the medical evacuation model, light vehicle transport and glider towing.

During the invasion of the Netherlands, the effective Dutch air defense network lost hundreds, and dozens of Ju 52s were used to transport German paratroopers. Nevertheless, the Germans prevailed and continued their march towards Paris, France.

The Ju 52 also saw action during the invasion of Crete, with more paratroopers being abandoned and they continued to serve in campaigns in Norway, North Africa and the Soviet Union as these theaters became part of the larger picture.

The Ju 52 was obsolete as a bomber by 1939 standards, but it was still a solid and reliable aircraft with good handling characteristics and was still widely used as a transport throughout the remainder of the war. Later models were "upgraded" to have 4 x 7.92mm defensive machine guns.

Its construction allows for relatively quick manufacture and operation in the harshest conditions, proving the design time and time again to be reliable.

The Ju 52 survived the war even after the war in Europe ended in May 1945. While many Ju 52s were scrapped, nearly 600 French and Spanish-built prototypes were built shortly after the war. The Avions Amiot in France was no longer under German control and the Ju 52 Amiot AAC-1 was renamed "Toucan". The Spanish-produced versions are manufactured under the CASA brand label as models 352 and 352L.

French production from 1945 to 1947, Spanish participation from 1945 to 1952.

From 1931 to 1952, a total of 4,845 Junkers Ju 52s were produced. There are very few airworthy ones today (2015).

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