Junkers K 47
| Industry | Aircraft manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920s |
Key people | Karl Plauth (initial design), Hermann Pohlmann (final design) |
| Products | Junkers K 47, Junkers A 48 |
The Junkers K 47 was a two-seat fighter aircraft produced in the late 1920s by Junkers' Swedish branch, with a civilian model known as the A 48.
Design and development
Originally conceived to fulfill a fighter specification from Turkey, the K 47 featured a low-wing monoplane design supported by struts and accommodated two open cockpits for the pilot and rear gunner. Its distinctive twin vertical tail fins enhanced the rear defensive firing arc. The fixed tailskid landing gear was structurally integrated with the wing bracing system. Initial design work was undertaken by Karl Plauth and finalized by Hermann Pohlmann. Due to prohibitions under the Versailles Treaty against military aircraft manufacture in Germany, construction took place in Sweden.
Operational history
Although Turkey withdrew interest before the prototype was finished, the Soviet Union expressed some curiosity but ultimately procured only two or three units. The most significant operator was China, which purchased ten aircraft in 1931 and an additional one in 1934, the latter named T'ien C'hu No.1 after its manufacturing sponsor. During the Shanghai Incident of 1932, Chinese K 47s engaged Japanese naval planes launched from carriers Hōshō and Kaga. Notably, pilot Shi Bangfan fought valiantly until forced to land following battle damage.
Efforts to sell the aircraft through demonstrations in Romania, Portugal, and Latvia did not result in sales; it is possible one unit was acquired by Japan. Three K 47s were used at the secret Reichswehr training base located in Lipetsk, while several unarmed civilian variants served with the Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule (DVS).
The K 47 also took part in dive bombing experiments that contributed to Hermann Pohlmann’s development of the Junkers Ju 87, with the Ju 87’s second prototype incorporating the tail assembly from the K 47.
Operators
- Soviet Air Force – Operated two or three aircraft primarily for testing purposes.
- Chinese Nationalist Air Force – Eleven aircraft in service beginning in 1931.
Bibliography
- Andersson, Lennart. "Chinese 'Junks': Junkers Aircraft Exports to China 1925-1940". Air Enthusiast, No. 55, Autumn 1994, pp. 2–7.
External links