Junkers

This article is about the aviation manufacturer. For the noble title, see Junker. For other meanings, see Junkers (disambiguation).

Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG (JFM)

File:Junkers Flugzeugwerke logo.svg
Company type	Privately held company
Founded	1895
Defunct	1969
Fate	Integrated into Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB)
Successor	Junkers GmbH (post World War II)
Headquarters	Dessau, Germany
Key people	Hugo Junkers
Number of employees	40,000

Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG (abbreviated as JFM, formerly known as JCO or JKO during World War I, in English: Junkers Aircraft and Motor Works), widely recognized simply as Junkers [ˈjʊŋkɐs], was a prominent German manufacturer specializing in both aircraft and aircraft engine production. Established in 1895 by Hugo Junkers in Dessau, Germany, the company initially focused on producing boilers and heating radiators. It gained renown during and after World War I for its innovative all-metal aircraft designs. Throughout World War II, Junkers supplied aircraft to the Luftwaffe, including piston and jet engines, although this occurred after its founder was ousted by the Nazi regime in 1934.

History

File:Junkers J 1 at Döberitz 1915.jpg

The groundbreaking all-metal Junkers J 1 from late 1915

File:Junkers J.I.jpg

The sole surviving example of the Junkers J.I is preserved at the Canada Aviation Museum.

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R14718, Dessau, Junkers-Werke.jpg

The Junkers manufacturing facility in Dessau, circa 1928

Early inter-war period

Shortly after the war, Junkers developed the F-13, which was based on their earlier J8 design. The F-13 conducted its maiden flight on 25 June 1919 and received airworthiness certification by July that year. This four-seat monoplane holds the distinction of being the world's first all-metal airliner. Notably, beyond substantial sales across Europe, approximately twenty-five units were sold to North American buyers via the Junkers-Larsen partnership, primarily serving as airmail carriers.

Following the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which occurred mere days after the F-13's initial flight, Germany faced a temporary prohibition on aircraft manufacturing. Once this restriction eased, Germany was permitted only to design civilian aircraft. To circumvent these constraints, Junkers partially relocated operations to the western suburb of Moscow, Fili, enabling them to resume aircraft production within Soviet territory by 1922. During this period, Junkers developed progressively larger civil airplanes such as the single-engine G.24 and the tri-motor G.31, although neither achieved commercial success.

Upon expiration of treaty limitations in 1926, Junkers introduced the W33 and W34 series. These models enjoyed considerable success through extensive production runs serving passenger transport, cargo hauling, and later military roles. Between 1926 and 1930, the W33/W34 series established numerous aviation milestones including records for endurance flights, range, altitude achievements, rocket-assisted takeoffs, and inflight refueling.[citation needed]

In 1924, Junkers founded the Junkers Luftbild-Zentrale in Dessau to produce aerial photographs for diverse applications. Due to financial challenges faced by the parent company eight years later, this division was spun off as Bild-Flug, which operated independently for one year before being acquired by its main competitor, Hansa Luftbild.[citation needed]

In 1924, Junkers presented a design study intended for a U.S. visit: an innovative four-engine aircraft capable of seating eighty passengers. This concept featured a forward canard wing along with a primary wing mounted above twin pylons. Known as the Junkers J.1000 Super Duck, passenger accommodations were planned both within the main wing structure and hull sections. The design included a scale model demonstrating potential transatlantic flights lasting eight to ten hours—a visionary concept for its era.

Around this time, American engineer William Bushnell Stout in 1922 and Soviet engineer Andrei Tupolev in 1924 both incorporated Junkers’ corrugated duralumin airframe technology into their own pioneering all-metal aircraft designs—the Stout ST twin-engine naval torpedo bomber prototype in the U.S., and Tupolev’s ANT-2 light passenger plane developed with support from the Soviet research institution TsAGI.

These foundational design concepts were later realized in the Junkers G.38, introduced into service by Deutsche Luft Hansa. At launch, this four-engine transport held the title of largest landplane worldwide, accommodating thirty-four passengers alongside seven crew members. Uniquely, some passengers were seated within wing compartments extending beyond the fuselage nose area outfitted with windows.

Additionally, in 1932 Junkers collaborated with Maybach to develop an aerodynamic automobile; however, due to economic downturn conditions limiting demand for luxury vehicles during the Great Depression, only one unit was produced.

Financial difficulties

Around 1931, the company encountered a series of financial setbacks that ultimately caused the collapse of the corporate group. The current shareholders exerted pressure on Hugo to step down from the business. Nevertheless, Hugo retained ownership of patents covering numerous technologies utilized in the majority of Junkers' designs, including many engine models.

To address both challenges, a strategy was devised to "purchase" Hugo's engine patent portfolio and transfer it to a newly established entity, Junkers Motoren-Patentstelle GmbH, which was officially created in November 1932. This new firm was intended to license the technologies back to the various associated companies, particularly Junkers Motorenbau (one among several "Jumo" entities). However, before Hugo transferred his patents to the Patentstelle, the financial crisis of the Junkers group was resolved through the sale of Junkers Thermo Technik GmbH to Robert Bosch GmbH, a company that continues to operate under that brand name. Adolf Dethmann, a Communist activist and close associate of Hugo, was appointed as managing director.

File:Junkers Flugzeug- und -Motorenwerke AG 1937.JPG

Share certificate of Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG issued in October 1937

Post-World War II developments

File:Junkers-Werk Dessau Tor.jpg

Entrance gate of the former Junkers manufacturing plant in Dessau

Despite extensive bombing damage sustained by its factories during Second World War, the Junkers firm persisted through the establishment of East Germany. It was reestablished as Junkers GmbH and later integrated into the MBB consortium via the joint venture Flugzeug-Union-Süd between Heinkel and Messerschmitt in 1958. Messerschmitt terminated this partnership in 1965 by acquiring control over JFM AG and fully absorbing it by 1967. Within West Germany, Junkers GmbH focused on aerospace transportation research throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. During this era, Junkers employed renowned Austrian engineer and spaceflight visionary Eugen Sänger, who completed a design for an advanced orbital spacecraft known as Saenger in 1961. Ultimately, Junkers GmbH was incorporated into MBB, leading to the disappearance of the Junkers brand name in 1969.

Aircraft

Initially, Junkers aircraft were designated by the letter J, representing Junkers, followed by a numerical type identifier. Beginning in 1919, an additional sales classification was introduced that retained the number but added a prefix letter to denote the aircraft's intended function:

A = Austauschflugzeug (adaptable for civilian or military roles),

EF = Entwurfsflugzeug (experimental model),

F = Flugzeug (general aircraft),

G = Großflugzeug (large-sized aircraft),

H = models manufactured at Junkers' Moscow facility,

K = Kampfflugzeug (bomber class),

S = Spezial (specialized aircraft),

T = Schulflugzeug (trainer aircraft),

W = Wasserflugzeug (seaplane).

There was only one instance where the same numeric designation identified two distinct completed models: the T 23 and G 23, both alternatively called J 23.

During World War I, aircraft in active service followed the standardized Idflieg aircraft designation system, which specified their role via a letter-number combination promoted by the Flugzeugmeisterei (Air Ministry):

CL = two-seat ground attack craft,

D = single-seat biplane scout, by 1918 encompassing all single-seat scouts,

E = single-seat monoplane scout,

J = two-seat armored close support biplane.

Perhaps the most renowned and often misunderstood example is the Junkers J 4, an armored-fuselage, all-metal sesquiplane known to the military as the Junkers J.I.

The original single-letter company prefix was replaced in 1933 by the dual-letter Ju prefix under the RLM system – , which standardized designations across German manufacturers during the Third Reich. The first Junkers model to receive a Ju number was the W 33, thus retrospectively labeled Ju 33. Earlier Moscow-built planes like the H 21 were also often assigned Ju numbers, for example Ju 21.

File:Junkers J.I.jpg

The sole surviving J.I is preserved at the Canada Aviation Museum.

File:Turkish Junkers A20 Aircraft (1925).jpg

The A20 aircraft produced through collaboration between the Turkish Government and Junkers in Turkey, with initial delivery in Kayseri in March 1925

• Junkers J 1, (no military code) first-ever full metal-structure airplane worldwide, 1915.
• Junkers J 2, (no military code) experimental all-metal single-seat fighter, 1916.
• Junkers J 3, mid-wing monoplane project canceled before completion; first to propose corrugated-skin duralumin construction.
• Junkers J 4, (military J.I) armored-fuselage full metal sesquiplane close support plane, 1917.
• Junkers J 5, unbuilt monoplane scout with rear-mounted engine.
• Junkers J 6, unbuilt parasol monoplane scout.
• Junkers J 7, prototype leading to J 9, 1917.
• Junkers J 8, twin-seat variant of J 7, 1917.
• Junkers J 9, (military D.I) all-duralumin single-seat fighter produced in two versions—J.9/I and J.9/II with extended wingspan and rear fuselage—1918.
• Junkers J 10, (military CL.I) all-duralumin monoplane close support aircraft, 1918.
• Junkers J 11, (navy C3MG, military CLS.I) floatplane adaptation of J 10, 1918.
• Junkers J 12, prototype four-seat airliner evolved from J 10, precursor to F.13, 1919.
• Junkers F 13, passenger aircraft initially designated as J 13 in 1919, marketed as Junkers–Larsen in the US.
• Junkers JG1, large monoplane concept from 1921.
• Junkers J 15, predecessor to models J/K 16, developed in 1920.
• Junkers K 16, compact single-engine passenger plane also known as J 16, launched in 1922.
• Junkers J 17, enhanced version of K 16 that was not constructed.
• Junkers J 18, reconnaissance plane for naval use that remained unbuilt.
• Junkers T 19, trainer and touring model alternatively called J 19, introduced in 1922.
• Junkers A 20, light transport aircraft from 1923.
• Junkers J 21, reconnaissance aircraft for Red Army production in Russia, also referred to as T 21 or H 21, built in 1923.
• Junkers J 22, fighter similar to J 21 for Red Army use, also known as H 22, developed in 1922.
• Junkers T 23, sports mono- or biplane crafted in 1923.
• Junkers G 23, tri-motor ten-passenger airliner introduced in 1923.
• Junkers G 24, enlarged variant of G 23 from 1925.
• Junkers F 24, single-engine adaptation of G 23 released in 1928.
• Junkers A 25, re-engined A 20 equipped with Junkers L2 engines, launched in 1926.
• Junkers T 26, training and sports plane introduced in 1925.
• Junkers T 27, re-engined variant of T 26 from the same year.
• Junkers J 28, planned two-seat version of T.21 that was never built.
• Junkers J 29, sports monoplane featuring double wing design from 1925.
• Junkers K 30, military adaptation of G 24 released in 1930.
• Junkers G 31, fifteen-passenger airliner launched in 1926.
• Junkers A 32, experimental monoplane from the year 1926.
• Junkers W 33, single-engine light transport developed from F.13 in 1926.

File:Junkers aircraft Bremen.jpg

The Bremen Junkers W33 following its pioneering East-West Atlantic flight

• Junkers W 34, single-engine light transport and reconnaissance model evolved from W33, introduced in 1933.
• Junkers A 35, used for postal service, training, and military purposes starting from 1926.
• Junkers S 36, twin-engine mailplane developed in 1927.
• Junkers K 37, military variant of S 36 from the following year.
• Junkers G.38, four-engine commercial transport holding status as largest landplane worldwide when built in 1929.
• Junkers K 39, experimental reconnaissance-bomber derived from A 32, created in 1927.
• Junkers J 40, prototype large flying boat airliner based on G.38 design dating to 1926.
• Junkers W 41, F 24 model fitted with a Junkers Fo 4 diesel engine (the Junkers Jumo 204), produced in 1928.
• Junkers R 42, designation assigned to Swedish-built K 30s.
• Junkers K 43, reconnaissance monoplane introduced in the year of its development, 1927.
• Junkers J 44, prototype intended as a successor to A 35 launched in same year as K43's debut—1927.
• Junker K 45, a modified single Ju52 converted into a torpedo bomber variant during early thirties—1932 specifically.
• Junker Ju46, catapult-launched mailplane evolved from W34 platform.
• Junker K47, close-support prototype preceding production dive bomber K48 built around same period—1927.
• Junker A48 , production dive bomber version released a year later—1928 .
• [ [ Junker Ju49 ] ], high-altitude research plane developed early thirties—1931 .

* [ [ Mitsubishi Ki-20 | Junker K51 ] ], heavy bomber constructed for Japan circa mid-thirties .
* [ [ Junker Ju52 ] ], initial single-engine precursor leading to Ju52/3m model , debuting around three decades ago -1930 .
* [ [ Junker Ju52 | Junker Ju52/3m ] ] , nicknamed  Tante Ju , passenger airliner and freighter adapted for transport and bombing roles during World War II , first appearing early thirties -1932 .
* [ [ Junker A35 | Junker K53 ] ], designation applied to Swedish-built A35 models .
* [ [ Junker J54 ] ], prototype replacement for A35 , dating back to late twenties -1929 .
* [ [ Junker J56 ] ], prototype successor for K16 , circa early thirties -1930 .
* [ [ Junker J58 ] ], prototype intended as replacement for F13 & W34 , introduced late twenties -1929 .
* [ [ Junker Ju60 ] ], low-wing high-speed airliner unveiled early thirties -1932 .
* [ [ Junker Ju86 | Junker K85 ] ], proposed torpedo bomber variant of Ju86 intended for Sweden , dated around early thirties -1933 .
* [ [ Junker Ju86 | Junker Ju85 ] ], twin-engine bomber prototype akin to Ju86 , never constructed .
* [ [ Junker Ju86 ] ], twin-engine airliner serving bomber and reconnaissance functions , launched mid-thirties -1934 .
* [ [ Junker Ju87 ] ], known as  Stuka , dive bomber introduced mid-thirties -1935 .
* [ [ Junker Ju88 ] ], multi-role bomber including reconnaissance and night-fighter duties .
* [ [ Junker Ju89 ] ], heavy transport and bomber prototype from mid-thirties -1936 .
* [ [ Junker Ju90 ] ], four-engine airliner and transport derived from Ju89 , debuting late thirties -1937 .
* [ [ Junker Ju160 ] ], low-wing high-speed airliner evolved from Ju60 , early thirties release -1934 .
* [ [ Junker Ju86 | Junker Ju186 ] ], planned four-engine high-altitude prototype version of Ju86 , not realized .
* [ [ Junker Ju187 ]], close-support aircraft project cancelled after mock-up stage .
* [ [ Junker Ju188 ]], nicknamed  Rächer , bomber model introduced during wartime -1941 .
* [ [ Messerschmitt Me263 | Junker Ju248 ]], re-designation of Me263 fighter jet .
* [ [ Junker Ju252 ]], transport plane based on EF77 design , wartime introduction -1941 .
* [ [ Junker Ju268 ]], parasite bomber concept developed late war period -1944 .
* [ [ Junker Ju86 | Junker Ju286 ]], six-engine high-altitude version of Ju86 never completed .
* [ [ Junker Ju287 ]], jet-powered bomber prototype featuring forward-swept wings , postwar development -1945 .
* [ [ Junker Ju288 ]], bomber prototype designed during wartime -1941 .
* [ [ Junker Ju290 ]], multi-role transport and patrol aircraft introduced during World War II –1941 .
* [ [ Junker Ju322 ]], nicknamed  Mammut  (Mammoth), large transport glider prototype built during wartime –1941 .
* [ [ Junker Ju352 ]], called  Herkules  (Hercules), transport plane released late war period –1944 .
* [ [ Junker Ju388 ]], known as  Störtebeker , serving reconnaissance and night-fighter roles since wartime –1943 .
* [ [ Junker Ju390 ]], six-engine long-range  Amerikabomber  competitor derived from Ju290 prototype produced during World War II –1943 .
*[ junkerk252#junkerk452 | junkerk452] , wooden derivative version of ju252
*[ junkerk488 | junkerk488] , proposed heavy bomber design
*[ junkerk1000 | junkerk1000] , large flying-wing airliner project dating back to mid-twenties –1924

Experimental Designs

• Junkers EFo 008, jet bomber intended for high-altitude missions
• Junkers EFo 009, Hubjäger (Lift-Fighter), concept for a jet-powered fighter aircraft
• Junkers EFo 010
• Junkers EFo 011, twin-jet fighter aircraft design
• Junkers EFo 012, four-engine jet bomber concept
• Junkers EFo 015, enhanced version of the EFo 012
• Junkers EFo 017, twin-jet fighter similar in design to the Me 262
• Junkers EFo 018, four-engine jet bomber with engines mounted beneath the wings
• Junkers EFo 019, twin-engine jet bomber featuring engines integrated within the wing structure
• Junkers EFo 021, proposed double-deck transatlantic airliner seating 40 passengers, conceived in 1938
• Junkers EFo 022, record-setting aircraft derived from the EFo 018 model
• Junkers EF 017, single-engine military plane with three seats, later known as A 32 and K 39
• Junkers EF 024, single-engine fighter aircraft later designated as A 48
• Junkers EF 029, high-altitude aircraft later developed into Ju 49
• Junkers EF 030, single-engine airliner project that evolved into W 41 and possibly Ju 52
• Junkers EF 031, design code for the A 50 model
• Junkers EF 034, four-seat touring aircraft, known in German as Luftlimousine (flying limousine), dating from 1929
• Junkers EF 037, twin-engine military plane project from 1930
• Junkers EF 043, glider designed for transport or as a remotely controlled glider bomb
• Junkers EF 048, multipurpose twin-engine military aircraft developed from K 37, introduced in 1933
• Junkers EF 049, twin-engine variant of the Ju 52/1m, developed in 1933
• Junkers EF 050, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) conceptual study resembling the Fa 269
• Junkers EF 052, study based on the K 85 design
• Junkers EF 053, preliminary design phase of the EF 100 model
• Junkers EF 055, conceptual study for the Ju 287
• Junkers EF 056, another Ju 287 design exploration
• Junkers EF 057, additional Ju 287 design investigation
• Junkers EF 058, further Ju 287 design study
• Junkers EF 059, design concept related to the Ju 88
• JUnkers EF 060, initial concept for the EF 127/EF128 series
• Junkers EF061, prototype high-altitude fighter and reconnaissance aircraft from 1936
• Junkers EF062, early-stage study for the EF128 design
• Junkers EF063, another preliminary study for the EF128 project
• Junkers EF065, potential early study for the EF082, dated to 1939
• Junkers EF066, Ju287 design investigation
• Junkers EF067, further Ju287 conceptual work
• Junkers EF068, additional Ju287 design research
• Junkers EF071, test model focusing on aerodynamic wingtip configurations
• Junkers EF072, early developmental study of the EF077
• Junkers EF073, research project related to the Ju288
• Junkers EF077, development study for the Ju252
• Junkers EF082, project aimed at creating a combat battle aircraft
• Junkers EF094, designation assigned to the Ju322 model
• Junkers EF100, six-engine wide-body airliner designed for transatlantic flights, conceived in 1940
• Junkers EF101, Mistel aircraft configuration concept
• Junkers EF112, twin-boom ground attack aircraft project initiated in 1942
• Junkers EF115, bomber concept powered by either four Jumo211 engines or two jet engines
• Junkers EF116, W-wing jet bomber project from the year 1943
• Junkers EF122, four-engine iteration of the Ju287 design, which later became the Ju287
• Junkers EF125, two-engine version of the Ju287 design, subsequently evolving into the EF140
• Junkers EF126 Lilli, pulsejet-powered fighter project from 1944, completed after World War II in the Soviet Union
• Junkers EF127 Walli, rocket-propelled adaptation of the EF126 model
• Junkers EF128, interceptor aircraft powered by jet engines under development
• Junkers EF130, four-engine flying wing jet bomber concept from the year 1943
• Junkers EF131, six-engine advancement of the Ju287 completed post-war within USSR territory
• Junkers EF132, heavy bomber partially constructed in Soviet facilities but left unfinished
• Junkers EF135, further development based on the earlier EF130 model
• Junkers EF137, jet fighter conceptual design dated to 1943

Soviet Union Exclusive Designations

• Junkers EF 140, a twin-engine jet bomber derived from the EF 131 design; finalized after the war within the USSR.
• Junkers EF 145, likely a test platform for Ju 88 or Ju 388 at OKB-1.
• Junkers EF 150, an advanced twin-engine jet bomber evolving from the EF 140; predominantly designed and completed in post-war Soviet facilities.

Aircraft Powerplants

Junkers' diesel engines consistently featured two stroke and opposed piston configurations, a concept pioneered by Junkers himself in the early 1890s. This design aimed to offer an alternative to Nicholaus Otto's patented four-stroke engine, capable of operating on low-quality fuels such as blast furnace waste gases. By 1896, these engines were already supplying electrical power to steel manufacturing plants.

• Junkers Fo2, horizontal petrol engine, circa 1923.
• Junkers L1, petrol-powered, approximately 1924.
• Junkers L2, petrol engine from 1925.
• Junkers L5, an enlarged iteration of the L2, petrol, 1925.
• Junkers Fo3, diesel engine introduced in 1926.
• Junkers L55, a V12 "double L5" petrol engine, 1927.
• Junkers L7, a smaller petrol variant of the L2; never flown.
• Junkers Fo4, diesel engine commercially named Junkers SL1, released in 1928.
• Junkers L8, geared petrol engine offering increased power over the L5, dating from 1929.
• Junkers L88, V12 "double L8" petrol engine.
• Jumo 204, evolution of the SL1, initially designated Jumo 4, introduced in 1930.
• Jumo 205, diesel engine with reduced displacement compared to Jumo 204; originally called Jumo 5, from 1933.
• Jumo 206, enhanced power diesel variant of the Jumo 205, launched in 1936.
• Jumo 207, supercharged diesel version of the Jumo 205, introduced in 1939.
• Jumo 208, enlarged diesel derivative of the Jumo 205, circa 1940.
• Jumo 209, unbuilt diesel development based on the Jumo 207/208 series.
• Jumo 210, petrol inverted V12 initially named L10, around 1932.
• Jumo 211, enlarged inverted V12 petrol engine derived from the Jumo 210, dating to 1936.
• Jumo 212, planned inverted V24 petrol engine combining two Jumo 211 units.
• Jumo 213, refined and improved inverted V12 petrol engine successor to the Jumo 211, introduced in 1940.
• Jumo 218, an unbuilt twelve-cylinder diesel combining two Jumo 208 engines.
• Jumo 222, a six-bank radial petrol engine with twenty-four cylinders developed in 1939.
• Jumo 223, experimental diesel with twenty-four cylinders arranged in a box layout using four Jumo 207 engines.
• Jumo 224, enhanced power diesel version of the Jumo 223; further development took place within the Soviet Union.
• Jumo 225, projected thirty-six-cylinder multi-bank radial petrol engine evolved from the Jumo 222 design.
• Junkers 109-004, turbojet first produced in 1940.
• Junkers 109-012, turbojet with limited production by Soviet forces in 1946.
• Junkers 109-022, turboprop project completed by Soviet engineers in approximately 1950.

See also

• Category:Jägerstab (Fighter Staff)
• Category:List of RLM aircraft designations
• Category:Rüstungsstab (Armament Staff)

External links

• Official website maintained by Bernd Junkers, the grandson of Hugo Junkers (in German)
• Junkers Museum located in Dessau, Germany (in German)
• Hugo Junkers Homepage

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