| A50Junior | |
|---|---|
 A50ciD-2054 in Deutsches Museum Munich | |
| General information | |
| Type | Sports plane |
| Manufacturer | Junkers |
| Designer | |
| Number built | 69 (original production) 27 (new production, May 2023) |
| History | |
| First flight | 13 February 1929 |
TheJunkers A50Junior is an all-metalsports plane designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturerJunkers.
Designed byHermann Pohlmann during the late 1920s, it incorporated the all-metal construction and various other principles practiced on Junkers' larger aircraft of the era. The A50 had astreamlined fuselage composed of corrugatedduralumin, a low-mountedcantilever wing, and proportionally large flight control surfaces. It could be outfitted with conventionallanding gear,skis orfloats to suit a variety of different operational conditions; the aircraft was reportedly suitable for use in thetropics or near-arctic conditions as well as from austere airstrips. It was typically powered by a singleArmstrong Siddeley Genet II engine, although other powerplants could also be fitted.
On 13 February 1929, the A50 conducted itsmaiden flight. During the following year, a series of eightFAI world records for altitude, range, and average speed were set on afloatplane variant of A50.[citation needed] During 1931,Marga von Etzdorf flew an A50 solo fromBerlin toTokyo, the first woman to do so.
The Junkers A50 was the first sports plane designed byHermann Pohlmann inJunkers works.[1] It had the same modern all-metal construction, covered with corrugated duralumin sheet, as larger Junkers passenger planes.[1] On 13 February 1929, the A50 conducted itsmaiden flight. It was promptly followed by further four prototypes, several of which were used to test different engines.[citation needed]
Junkers expected to produce 5,000 aircraft, but halted manufacturing only 69 A50s, only 50 of which were ever sold.[citation needed] The high prices probably inhibited sales. Apart from Germany, they were used in several other countries and some were used by airlines. The purchase price in 1930 in the United Kingdom was between £840 and £885.[2] Starting from the A50ce variant, the wings could be folded for easier transport.
Three German A50 took part in theChallenge international touring plane competition in July 1929, taking 11th place (A50be, pilot Waldemar Roeder) and 17th place. Three A50 took part also in theChallenge 1930 next year, taking 15th (A50ce, pilotJohann Risztics), 27th and 29th places.[1] In June 1930, a series of eightFAI world records for altitude, range and average speed were set on afloatplane variant of A50, powered by theArmstrong Siddeley Genet II 59 kW (79 hp) engine.[citation needed] During 1931,Marga von Etzdorf flew an A50 solo fromBerlin toTokyo, the first woman to do so.[3][4]
The Junkers A50 was a sports plane that featured a conventional configuration, all-metal construction, a low-mountedcantilever wing, and a stressed corrugatedduralumin exterior.[1][5] It was promoted for its adaptability, being as equally suitable for use during summer as it was during the winter, on land or at sea, and in thetropics or near-arctic conditions.[6] The A50 conformed with several conventions for Junkers-built aircraft, such as the placement of the pilot in the rear seat while the passenger sat in the forward position. Both positions were provided with dual flight controls and two complete sets of instruments.[7]
The fuselage was a preciselystreamlined tube of corrugated duralumin; in spite of its extensive use of metal, it was carefully designed so that achieved the typical weight limits of mixed-construction aircraft (e.g. those that usedfabric and wood).[8] It was supported by a number offormers andbulkheads that had provisions for easy access that permitted both inspection and repairs to be performed.[9] The nose of the fuselage accommodated the aircraft's single engine while the rear of the fuselage tapered into a vertical wedge that extended upwards to form thefin.[8]
Having been designed to serve as a touring aircraft, several aspects of the aircraft, such as the comfort and convenience of the occupants, were addressed in detail.[10] The two seats present in the cockpit, used by the pilot and a single passenger, were relatively well-upholstered, broad, and fitted with an adjustable back and arm rests. Two separate baggage compartments were provided for the carriage of even particularly heavy suitcases; one, positioned between the two seats, was within easy reach of either occupant throughout the flight.[10] The second baggage compartment, behind the pilot's seat, was large enough for a singlestreamer trunk. Piping in the vicinity of the cockpit was concealed by the aircraft's double bottomed fuselage.[10]
The wing was divided into a central section, which was integral with the fuselage, and two outer sections that were joined to the centre using no more than fourscrews each; this aided ground transportation as well as repair work, the outer sections being readily replicable by a substitute.[5] Akin to the fuselage, the wing was covered in stressed corrugatedduralumin. Structurally, it was relatively simplistic, dispensing with many typical supporting devices, such asribs; this simplicity benefitted both production and service staff alike.[5] Several mundane defects, such as bulges, were felt to be reasonably addressable by the owner themselves. For more space-efficient storage of the aircraft, the wings could be folded rearwards on some models.[1][5]
It had a two-partelevator that was hinged to the stabilisor; it could be adjusted while on the ground.[9] The rudder was hinged to both the fin and the tip of the fuselage. The elevator, rudder andailerons all usedball bearings, which were relatively easy to operate and service.[9] The aircraft's proportionally large flight control surfaces, thus only necessitating slight deflections, were actuated using a series of adjustable push rods. The forces and deflections of the control stick and rudder bar were harmonised.[9] It was considered to be an easy enough aircraft to fly that it would be suitable for training beginning pilots.[9]
The aircraft could be alternatively furnished with either conventionallanding gear,skis orfloats without the use of any special fittings.[11] The floats were relatively large, to the extent that the aircraft could remain afloat if only one of them were to be attached; to maximisebuoyancy in the even of damage, the floats had internal bulkheads that formed multiple water-tight compartments. Whichever undercarriage was opted for, it would be attached to supporting points underneath the centre section of the wing.[11] The landing gear had a relatively wide track, which reduced the likelihood of the winds making contact with the ground, and lacked a continuous axle, which hindered ground movements in the presence of long grass or undergrowth. The rudder effectively offset the traditional manoeuvrability penalty incurred by the use of wide track landing gear.[12] The wheels were relatively large and sturdy, and thus suitable for use on unprepared or austere airstrips. Furthermore, the landing gear was furnished withrubber-cable styleshock absorbers that were designed for durability.[12]
It was typically powered by a singleArmstrong Siddeley Genet II air-cooledradial engine, which was mounted on an easily-removable frame upon the forward bulkhead, which functioned as afirewall.[6] It possessed considerable reserve power and reliability, which led to its selection to power the aircraft. The engine was enclosed by smooth sheet duralumin that left only the cylinder heads exposed.[6] The propeller was directly-driven by the engine. A special starter that involved the injection of atomized fuel into theintake manifold and a lightmagneto.[13] Fuel was stored in two primary tanks in the centre section of the aircraft; it was supplied to a single gravity tank via a fuel pump. The oil tank was directly adjacent to the gravity tank.[14]
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In 2022,Junkers Aircraft Works began production of a modernized version of the A50 known as the A50 Junior. This new A50 features modern avionics, a 100 hp (75 kW)Rotax 912iS engine driving a compositeMT-Propeller, and aballistic parachute. As of May 2023, 27 new A50s have sold in Europe, and plans have been made forWACO Aircraft Corporation to produce aircraft for American customers.[15][16][17]
During the2024 Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, Junkers unveiled the A50 Heritage. The A50 Heritage is marketed as a more authentic version closer to the original A50.[18] It is powered by aVerner Scarlett 7U radial engine and features a two-piece glass windscreen and analog instruments.[18][19]
The -ce and -ci variants were produced in the largest numbers with about 25 of each on the German civil register.[21] Due to their construction, the A50 were durable aircraft and they lasted long in service. The last plane was used in the 1960s in Finland.[1] There is one A50 preserved inDeutsches Museum inMunich and another inHelsinki airport. One A50 (VH-UCC, c/n 3517) is in airworthy condition in Australia.
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An example is currently on display in Helsinki Airport. Registered as OH-ABB, it was flown by Väinö Bremer to Cape Town in a historic flight.[citation needed]
Data fromJunkers aircraft and engines, 1913-1945,[26]Junkers: an aircraft album[27]
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
