Junkers W 34

Junkers W 34
Company type	Aircraft model
Industry	Aviation
Founded	1926
Products	Single-engine passenger and cargo aircraft

The Junkers W 34 was a German single-engine aircraft designed for passenger and cargo transport, first introduced in 1926. It had the capacity to carry one pilot along with five passengers.

Originating from the record-setting Junkers W 33, this model was subsequently developed into the Junkers Ju 46, a naval seaplane launched via catapult.

Production and service

On 26 May 1929, a W 34 be/b3e variant piloted by Willi Neuenhofen established an altitude record, powered by a Bristol Jupiter VII engine.

Around 1,000 units were manufactured for commercial use, while an additional 2,024 hi and hau models were produced under license for the RLM and Luftwaffe. The cost per unit varied between RM 65,000 and RM 70,400.

By January 1944, the Luftwaffe operated over 1,100 W 34 aircraft, predominantly employed in training navigators and radio operators at flight schools.

The military version known as Junkers K.43 ("Bush Bomber") was widely utilized during the Chaco War (1932–1935) involving Bolivia and Paraguay. Additionally, the Colombian Air Force deployed both W 34s and K-43s during the Colombia-Peru conflict (1932–33).

From 1933 to 1953, the Swedish Air Force operated three W 33/34 aircraft for transport and air ambulance missions. The Finnish Air Force acquired one W 34 and six K-43s in the early 1930s for maritime patrols and light bombing roles; these were later repurposed for transport duties during the Continuation War. Further units were obtained in 1944 to support radio navigation training, with some remaining active until 1950.

Production

W 34 hi: Produced by Junkers (105 units), Henschel (430), ATG (94), Dornier Wismar (58), HFB (69), Weser (221).
W 34 hau: Manufactured by Henschel (329 units), Arado Brandenburg (205), ATG (105), Dornier Wismar (93), HFB (192), MIAG Braunschweig (73).

Variants

W 34 a: Powered by a 331 kW Gnome et Rhône 9A Jupiter engine; maximum speed of 190 km/h; wingspan measuring 17.75 m; length of 11.10 m.
W 34 be: Equipped with a 375 kW Gnome et Rhône 9A Jupiter engine; capable of reaching speeds up to 230 km/h.
W 34 be/b3e: Outfitted with a more powerful 441 kW Bristol Jupiter VII engine specifically for altitude record attempts.
W 34 ci: Featured a 405 kW Pratt & Whitney Hornet engine and cabin windows; capable of speeds up to 245 km/h.
W 34 di: Similar to the ci model but powered by a BMW license-built engine.
W 34 f: Utilized a Gnome et Rhône engine; speed rated at 190 km/h; wingspan extended to 18.48 m; included an enclosed cockpit; export variants were fitted with cargo doors.
W 34 fa/faö/fä/fo/fy/fei/fg/fue/fi/gi: A range of export and experimental models equipped with engines such as Siemens-Halske Sh20, Armstrong Siddeley Panther or Jaguar, Pratt & Whitney Hornet, or BMW Hornet.
W 34 hi: Powered by a BMW132 A/E engine delivering 485 kW, accommodating six passengers and equipped with sophisticated radio and navigation systems; primarily served in Luftwaffe training roles.
W34 hau: Comparable to the hi variant but fitted with a more robust Bramo322 H engine producing 526 kW; also employed for Luftwaffe training purposes.
K43: Military adaptation of the W34 available in several configurations.

Operators

Argentine Air Force, Argentine Naval Aviation
Royal Australian Air Force, Guinea Airways
Bolivian Air Force
Syndicato Condor – Serviços Aéreos Condor (Brazil)
Bulgarian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Airways
Chilean Air Force
Chinese Nationalist Air Force
Colombian Air Force, SCADTA (Avianca)
Zrakoplovstvo Nezavisne Države Hrvatske (Croatia)
Czechoslovak Air Force
Finnish Air Force, Finnish Border Guard
Luftwaffe
Royal Norwegian Air Force
Portuguese Army Aviation and Naval Aviation
Royal Romanian Air Force
Slovak Air Force (1939–1945)
Spanish Air Force
Swedish Air Force
South African Airways, South African Air Force
Venezuelan Air Force

Accidents and incidents

On May 3, 1934, a Junkers W-34 operated by Syndicato Condor, registered PP-CAR, suffered a crash while landing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, resulting in the loss of two crew members. Although the plane was subsequently restored, it was involved in another fatal accident in April 1944 at Santos Dumont Airport, causing two more deaths.
Another Syndicato Condor W-34 experienced a crash on February 24, 1942, during an emergency landing in Maranhão, Brazil, which led to the deaths of two crew members.

Bibliography

Munson, Kenneth. German Aircraft Of World War II in colour. Blandford Press, Poole UK, 1978.

External links