Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Bomber Aircraft, Transporter Aircraft
Manufacturer: Junkers
Junkers Ju 52 Aircraft Overview
The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured by Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG during the 1930s and 1940s. It was designed for both civilian and military use and was one of the most widely used airliners and cargo planes of its time.
The aircraft was a three-engine, trimotor design with a distinctive corrugated metal skin that gave it its nickname “Tante Ju” (Auntie Ju). It had a maximum speed of around 265 km/h (165 mph) and a range of up to 1,000 km (620 mi), depending on the version.
During World War II, the Ju 52 was used extensively by the German Luftwaffe as a transport and paratroop transport aircraft, and also as a bomber and reconnaissance plane. It was used in many major campaigns, including the invasion of Norway and the Battle of Crete.
After the war, the Ju 52 was used by various airlines around the world, and a few examples are still in use today as historic aircraft. Overall, the Junkers Ju 52 was a reliable and versatile aircraft that played an important role in the history of aviation.
Junkers Ju 52/3m g3e Specifications
- Crew: Two
- Capacity: 17 passengers
- Length: 19 m (62 ft)
- Wingspan: 29 m (96 ft)
- Height: 5.5 m (18.2 ft)
- Wing area: 110.50 m2 (1,189.4 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 5,720 kg (12,610 lb)
- Gross weight: 9,500 kg (20,944 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,499 kg (23,146 lb)
- Powerplant: 3 × BMW 132A-3 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 541 kW (725 hp) each for take-off (525 PS)
- Propellers: 2-bladed variable-pitch propeller
Junkers Ju 52/3m g3e Performance
- Maximum speed: 265.5 km/h (165.0 mph, 143.4 kn) at sea level. 276.8 km/h (172.0 mph; 149.5 kn) at 910 m (3,000 ft)
- Cruise speed: 246 km/h (153 mph, 133 kn) maximum continuous at 910 m (3,000 ft). 209 km/h (130 mph; 113 kn) economical cruise
- Range: 998 km (620 mi, 539 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 5,900 m (19,360 ft)
- Rate of climb: 3.9 m/s (770 ft/min)
- Time to altitude: 910 m (3,000 ft) in 17 minutes 30 seconds
- Wing loading: 83.35 kg/m2 (17.07 lb/sq ft)
- Power/mass: 7.95 kg/kW
Junkers Ju 52/3m g3e Armament
- Guns: * 1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine gun or 13 mm (0.51 in) MG 131 machine gun in a dorsal position.
- 1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine gun in a semi-retractable dustbin turret
- Bombs: up to 500 kg (1,100 lb) of bombs.
