Junkers A 32
| Industry | Aircraft manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1895 |
| Founder | Hugo Junkers |
| Headquarters | Germany |
The Junkers A 32 was a prototype mail aircraft developed in Germany during the late 1920s, which was subsequently transformed into a reconnaissance-bomber prototype known as the K 39. This aircraft employed a traditional low-wing cantilever monoplane configuration, featuring fixed tailskid landing gear and an all-metal corrugated duralumin exterior. It contained three open cockpits arranged in tandem; the military variant included a third position designated for a tail gunner. The K 39, a militarized model developed in Sweden by AB Flygindustri, introduced a fourth crew member role for a bombardier and was armed with twin machine guns mounted within the engine cowling as well as a movable tail gun.
Production was limited to only two A 32 airframes. The initial prototype was lost in a crash on 2 November 1927, which tragically claimed the life of Junkers engineer Karl Plauth. The only K 39 aircraft was probably converted from the second A 32 prototype. Neither the civilian nor military versions proceeded to mass production or commercial distribution.
Further reading
- Zuerl, Walter. Deutsche Flugzeug Konstrukteure. München, Germany: Curt Pechstein Verlag, 1941.