Friday 16 October 2015

Junkers Ju52 Tante Ju. Versions of the Queen of the Sky. Part 2. Compiler: Luis German Dzib Aquilar


Junker JU 52 Versions



Junkers Ju 52/3m ge
The initial Ju 52 was a single-engine aircraft. Since it lacked performance, and the state of technology couldn't deliver higher performance engines yet, Junkers decided to add 2 additional engines, both mounted on the wing. The designation then received the '/3m'.
The seventh Ju 52 airframe was used for the first 3-engine prototype, powered by three Pratt & Whitney Hornet radials, rated at 550 hp (410 kW) each. A number of subversions were built for various (export) customers:
Ju 52/3m ce: Version for A.B. Aerotransport of Sweden, Aero O/Y of Finland, and Deutsche Lufthansa. It had cowled engines and spatted mainwheels.

Ju 52/3m de: Version for Lloyd Aero Boliviano with uncowled engines and unspatted wheel
Ju 52/3m fe: unknown features and customers

The Ju 52/3m ge was the first version that entered production in large numbers. It was powered by 3 × BMW 132A-1 (license built Pratt & Whitney Hornets) radial, rated at 660 hp (492 kW) each. It could carry17 passengers, reach a max level speed of 155 Mph (250 km/h), and had a max take-off weight of 22,046 lb (10.000 kg)
In the meantime the Luftwaffe had expressed it's interest for the Ju 52, to double as aeither a transport or a bomber. The bomber role was to be fulfilled until the Dornier Do 11 would be ready, but problems with the Do 11 meant that more emphasis was placed on the bomber role. Therefor the Ju 52 was fitted with 3 cells capable of carrying 3,307 lb (1.500 kg) of bombs in the fuselage. Defensive armament consisted of:
2 × 0.312 inch (7,92 mm) MG 15 trainable rearward-firing guns in an open dorsal position, 1.050 rounds total
1 × 0.312 inch (7,92 mm) MG 15 trainable rearward-firing gun in a semi-enclosed, semi-retractable ventral 'bathtub' position, 750 rounds
Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415




Junkers Ju 52/3m g3e

Improved version of the Junkers Ju 52/3m ge. It had more modern radio equipment, upgraded bomb-release mechanisms, and was powered by 3 × BMW 132A-3 radials, rated at 725 hp (541 kW) each. The internal fuel capacity of 544 Imp gal (654 US gal, 2.475 liters) made a tactical radius of 311 miles (500 km) possible at a max cruising speed of 152 miles (245 km/h) at 2,950 ft (900 m). Other technical details are as follows:
A span of 95 ft 11.5 inch (29,24 m), aspect ratio of 7,74, area of 1,189.41 sq ft (110.50 m²), length of 62 ft 0 inch (18,9 m), height of 18 ft 2,5 inch (5,55 m), empty weight of 12,610 lb (5.720 kg), max take-off weight of 23,146 lb (10.500 kg), max level speed of 172 Mph (277 km/h) at 2,950 ft (900 m) declining to 165 Mph (265 km/h) at sea level, economical cruising speed of 130 Mph (210 km/h) at optimum altitude, max range of 621 miles (1.000 km), climb to 9,845 ft (3.000 m) in 17 min 30 sec, and a service ceiling of 19,360 ft (5.900 m)
Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415





 
Junkers Ju 52/3m g4e

This version was mostly used by the Condor Legion in Spain. It had a number of internal improvements, and a tailwheel in stead of a tail skid. This version was not u\only produced by Junkers, and the number exceeded 500 aircraft. In 1937 it was slowly withdrawn from it's bomber role, and served more as a transport, bomber-crew trainer, or in the airborne forces role.
12 Aircraft have been converted to Convoy Escorts. These aircraft, like the YB-40 with the B-17, defended it's brothers during sorties. For that reason the 'Geleitschutzflugzeuge' were fitted with the ventral 'Dustbin' again, 2 more 0.312 inch (7,92 mm) guns in the beam positions, and a 20 mm trainable cannon in the nose. Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415

Junkers Ju 52/3m g4e (MS)
This version was converted for Mine-sweeping duties. For that reason it was fitted with a large Dural hoop braced beneath the wing and fuselage. This hoop was than energised by an additional motor that was installed in the fuselage. The magnetic field that was generated that way, triggered magnetically fused mines.
Number converted: unknown.

Junkers Ju 52/3m g5e
This version was an improvement upon the Junkers Ju 52/3m g4e. It had more comprehensive radio equipment, a de-icing system that used the exhaust, provision for an interchangeable wheel ski or float landing gear, provision for 2 × 0.312 inch (7,92 mm) trainable lateral-firing guns in the beam positions, and an uprated powerplant: 3 × BMW 132T-2 radials, rated at 830 hp (619 kW). The land planes had a max take-off weight of 23,148 lb (10.500 kg).
Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415

Junkers Ju 52/3m g5e (MS)
This version was converted for Mine-sweeping duties. Number converted: unknown
Junkers Ju 52/3m g5e (See)
This version was the Junkers Ju 52/3m g5e with floats instead of a landing gear. The max take-off weight was 24,250 lb (11.000 kg). Number converted: unknown
This version is almost identical to the Junkers Ju 52/3m g5e, and was produced in parallel with it as well. The difference was the fact that it was a purely land based aircraft, and had simpler radio equipment.
Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415



 Junkers Ju 52/3m g6e (MS)

This version was converted for Mine-sweeping duties. Number converted: unknown


Junkers Ju 52/3m g7e
From 1941 onward, the Junkers Ju 52/3m g7e was built. It was based on the Junkers Ju 52/3m g5e, but had a number of improvements: an autopilot, a larger starboard-side loading hatch, and a rearward extension of the upper part of the central engine. On some aircraft there was an open position created in the cockpit's overhead glazing, to accomodate 1 × 0.312 inch (7,92 mm) MG 15 trainable rearward-firing gun. Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415 Junkers.
Junkers Ju 52/3m g8e (MS)
This version was converted for Mine-sweeping duties. Number converted: unknown
Junkers Ju 52/3m g9e
This version replaced the Junkers Ju 52/3m g8e in 1942. It was powered by 3 × BMW 132Z radials, had a glider-towing coupling, and had a strenghtened landing gear for a max take-off weight of 25,353 lb (11.500 kg). Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415

Junkers Ju 52/3m g10e
Based on the Junkers Ju 52/3m g9e, but fitted with alternatively skis or floats. Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415.
 
Junkers Ju 52/3m g11e
No information. Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415

  Junkers Ju 52/3m g12e
Equal to the Junkers Ju 52/3m g9e, but fitted with 3 × BMW 132L radials, rated at 800 hp (597 kW)
Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415

Junkers Ju 52/3m g13e
No further information. Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415.


Junkers Ju 52/3m g14e
The final production version. This version featured armor protection for the pilot, and had a standard defensive armament of 1 × 0.51 inch (13 mm) MG 131 in the rear dorsal position, and 3 × 0.312 inch (7,92 mm) MG 15 each in one of the beam positions, and 1 in a low-drag copula over the cockpit.
Number built: unknown out of a total of 5.415

AAC.1 Toucan
Postwar version of the Ju 52/3m, built by a French company. Number built: 400 out of 5.415
  CASA 352
Postwar version of the Ju 52/3m, built by a Spanish company. Number built: 170 out of 5.415 (18)

Queen of the Skies
The heart of Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin-Stiftung's fleet is the Ju 52. It was with the Junkers J 1 back in 1915 that Hugo Junkers conducted trials with the world's first all-metal airplane.
As the first aircraft built in this new design, the Junkers F13 finally took off in 1919. With the Ju 52, Junkers went on to become the world's most successful manufacturer of passenger aircraft over many years. From 1932, the Junkers works and various licensees built almost 5000 airplanes that were to serve 30 airlines in 25 countries across the globe.
Built at the Junkers works in Dessau, our Ju 52 embarked on her maiden flight in 1936. Initially in service with Lufthansa, she then spent almost 20 years alternating between Germany and Norway. 1955 saw her taken out of service in Norway. Too large for a museum in Oslo, she was sold to South America where she was flown in Ecuador from 1957 to 1963. The end of her days now looked imminent. Mustered out to the edge of Quito Airport and exposed to the elements, she fell into oblivion until an American flying enthusiast rescued her in 1969. Later on, spectators were able to admire "Aunt Ju", now known as "Iron Annie", at air shows across the States before being purchased by Lufthansa in 1984 and painstakingly restored.
She has once again been in her element since 1986, marking her 50th birthday, and delighting around 10,000 passengers a year.



Key facts


Tail sign:
D-CDLH
Original tail sign:
D-AQUI
• Year built:
1936
Crew:
4
Passengers:
16
Engines:
Three nine-cylinder Pratt & Whitney radial engines, PW 1340 S1 H1G Wasp
Type:
Junkers Ju 52/3m
Take-off speed:
120 km/h (65 kts)
Cruising speed:
190 km/h (102.5 kts)
Maximum speed:
250 km/h (135 kts)
Maximum range:
Approx. 825 km (513 miles)
Endurance:
4 hours 20 mins.
Length:
18.90 m (62 feet)

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