Junkers W 33
Encyclopedia
The Junkers W 33 was a German-built singled-engine transport aircraft. It was aerodynamically and structurally advanced for its time (1920s), a clean, low-wing all metal cantilever monoplane. Almost 200 were produced. It is remembered in aviation history
Aviation history
The history of aviation has extended over more than two thousand years from the earliest attempts in kites and gliders to powered heavier-than-air, supersonic and hypersonic flight.The first form of man-made flying objects were kites...
for the first East-West non-stop heavier-than-air crossing of the Atlantic.
Design and development
The Junkers W 33 was a transport development of the 1919 four-seat airliner, the Junkers F 13. The latter was a very advanced aircraft when built, an aerodynamically clean all-metal cantilever (without external bracing) monoplane. Even later in the 1920s, it and other Junkers types were unusual as unbraced monoplanes in a biplane age, with only Fokker's designs of comparable modernity. Like all Junkers designs from the J 7 fighter onwards, it used an aluminium alloy duraluminum structure covered with Junkers' characteristic corrugated dural skin. The wings had the same span as the F 13, though the platform was a little different, and the length was the same as the F 13FE. The fuselage, though, was flatter topped than that of the F 13. A large port-side door gave access to the freight compartment. The 228 kW Junkers L5 upright inline watercooled engined was also the same as in the F 13FE, though much more powerful than the BMW motors of the F 13A, giving improved weightlifting compared with that early model.The cockpit and undercarriage were of their time, the former open with two seats, and the latter fixed and divided with a tailwheel. The Junkers W letter labelled the type as a seaplane (floatplane), but in practice W 33s flew as both at different times. The prototype W 33, registered D-921, first flew, as a seaplane, from Leopoldshafen on the river Elbe near Dessau on 17 June 1926.
Production began in 1927 and ran until 1934 with 198 production machines built. Most of these were built at the Junkers works at Dessau
Dessau
Dessau is a town in Germany on the junction of the rivers Mulde and Elbe, in the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt. Since 1 July 2007, it is part of the merged town Dessau-Roßlau. Population of Dessau proper: 77,973 .-Geography:...
, but a small number were assembled at Junker's Swedish subsidiary AB Flygindustri at Limhamn
Limhamn
Limhamn is, in an administrative sense, the southern district of Malmö Municipality in Sweden. Before 1915, Limhamn was a town of its own....
near Malmo
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
and in the USSR. The Swedish plant had been set up in the early 1920s to avoid the post-war restrictions on aircraft building, which included civil types during 1921-2. The Russian works at Fili
Fili (Moscow)
Fili is a former suburban village, now a neighborhood in the western section of Moscow, Russia, notable for the events of September 1812, following the Battle of Borodino. The village was located between the Moskva River and Poklonnaya Hill, near the present-day Fili station of Moscow Metro and...
near Moscow was used initially to build the H 21 and H 22 fighters for the Red Army. There were over 30 W 33 variants, so only a few are listed below.
Operational history
Warnemünde
Warnemünde is a sea resort and northmost district of Rostock in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, situated on the Baltic Sea in the northeast of Germany at the estuary of the river Warnow.- History :...
in July 1926. The first prototype W 33, D-921, flew as no.7 and came second in the contest. The second prototype, a W 33a, flew as no.8.
W 33s were used by many operators across the world in the late 1920s and 1930s. They served as general transports and specialised mailplanes. Deutsche Luft Hansa
Deutsche Luft Hansa
Deutsche Luft Hansa A.G. was a German airline, serving as flag carrier of the country during the later years of the Weimar Republic and throughout the Third Reich.-1920s:Deutsche Luft Hansa was founded on 6 January 1926 in Berlin...
had only four, which ran mail from 1929. Others were used as survey aircraft and crop-sprayers. Later, the Luftwaffe used some as trainers.
The Colombian Air Force
Colombian Air Force
The Colombian Air Force or FAC is the Air Force of the Republic of Colombia.The Colombian Air Force is one of the three institutions of the Armed Forces of Colombia, charge according to the 1991 Constitution of the work to exercise and maintain control of Colombia's airspace to defend the...
used Junkers W 33, W 34 and K 43 in the Colombia-Peru War
Colombia-Peru War
The Colombia–Peru War was an armed conflict between the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Peru.-Civilian takeover:...
(1932–1933). The Ethiopian Air Force
Ethiopian Air Force
The Ethiopian Air Force is the air arm of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and is tasked with protecting the air space, providing support to the ground forces as well as assisting during national emergencies.- Early years :...
had one W 33c during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
Second Italo-Abyssinian War
The Second Italo–Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936. The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire...
.
One Junkers W 33g was used by the Swedish Air Force from 1933-5 as an air ambulance and known as the transport type Trp2. It is possible that this aircraft was assembled at Linhamm as were four W 33s bound for Australia. Most Russian registered W 33s (17 of them, mostly assembled in Russia at Fili from imported parts) were designated PS-3. At least 9 Russian independently built W 33s appeared on their pre-war civil register as the PS-4.
Aeronautical distinctions
There were several records plus one outstanding first. The North Atlantic had been first crossed, non-stop and by a heavier than air craft by the Vickers VimyVickers Vimy
The Vickers Vimy was a British heavy bomber aircraft of the First World War and post-First World War era. It achieved success as both a military and civil aircraft, setting several notable records in long-distance flights in the interwar period, the most celebrated of which was the first non-stop...
piloted by Alcock
John Alcock (aviator)
Sir John William Alcock KBE, DSC was a Captain in the Royal Air Force who, together with navigator Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown, piloted the first non-stop transatlantic flight from St. John's, Newfoundland to Clifden, Connemara, Ireland.-Biography:Jack Alcock was born on 5 November 1892 at...
and Brown
Arthur Whitten Brown
Sir Arthur Whitten Brown KBE was the navigator of the first successful non-stop transatlantic flight.-Life and work:...
in 1919. They flew West to East, with the prevailing winds from St. John's, Newfoundland
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Canada to Clifden
Clifden
Clifden is a town on the coast of County Galway, Ireland and being Connemara's largest town, it is often referred to as "the Capital of Connemara". It is located on the Owenglen River where it flows into Clifden Bay...
in Ireland in just under 16 hrs. The East to West flight was always more challenging, but became feasible as aircraft performance improved through the '20s. On April 12–13, 1928 W 33 D-1167 Bremen
Bremen (aircraft)
The Bremen is a German Junkers W33 type aircraft that made the first successful transatlantic aeroplane flight from east to west between April 12 and April 14, 1928....
flew from Baldonnel
Baldonnel, Ireland
Baldonnel , is a townland, and industrial/agricultural area near Clondalkin Tallaght, Lucan, Saggart and Naas, in west County Dublin. It is chiefly known as the location of the headquarters of the Irish Air Corps at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, which has been in operation for over 90 years in...
near Dublin in Ireland to Greenly Island off Labrador
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
in 37 hrs. Strong westerly winds took them north of their intended destination, New York, but they landed safely. The crew were Köhl
Hermann Köhl
Hermann Köhl was a German Aviation pioneer and pilot of the first trans-atlantic flight in the East-West direction....
, von Hünefeld
Ehrenfried Günther Freiherr von Hünefeld
Ehrenfried Günther Freiherr von Hünefeld was a German aviation pioneer and initiator of the first trans-atlantic flight in East-West direction....
and Fitzmaurice
James Fitzmaurice (pilot)
James Fitzmaurice DFC was an Irish aviation pioneer. He was a member of the crew of the Bremen, which made the first successful Trans-Atlantic aircraft flight from East to West on 12–13 April 1928.-Early life:...
. The aircraft is now on display at Bremen Airport
Bremen Airport
Bremen Airport or Flughafen Bremen serves the German city of Bremen and is located south of the city. There were 2.4 million passengers in 2008.-History:The beginnings of the airport date back to the early 20th century...
, Germany.
A W 33 set class C world records for both endurance of 52 h 22 m and distance (4661 km or 2896 mi) on one flight at Dessau between 3&5 August 1927, piloted by Johann Risztics
Johann Risztics
Stabfeldwebel Johann Risztics was the Austro-Hungarian World War I flying ace credited with seven reliably confirmed aerial victories.During 1918, Risztics formed a strong friendship with fellow pilots Fredrich Hefty and Ferdinand Udvardy...
and Edzard. A little earlier Fritz Loose and W.N.Schnabele had set another Class C record for duration and distance, this time carrying a useful 500 kg load. They stayed aloft for 22 h 11 m and travelled 2736 km (1701 mi). At about the same time the W33 set a similar pair of records in Class Cbis (Seaplanes).
A W 33 (much modified and sometimes referred to as a W 34) established a world altitude record on 26 May 1929, piloted by Willy Neuenhofen at 41,800 ft (12740 m).
There were failures, too. The first Swedish-assembled W33 was ready by May 1930, and was delivered two months later to Mitsubishi in Japan. This aircraft was used in an attempt in 1932 to fly across the Pacific Ocean to the USA, but the attempt failed and the aircraft disappeared. Neither aircraft parts nor any survivors were found although the search lasted over six months.
Accidents and incidents
- 29 October 1932 - D-2017 Marmara of Luft Hansa was on a freight flight from CroydonCroydon AirportCroydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary between what are now the London boroughs of Croydon and Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport...
to CologneCologneCologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
when it crashed off the KentKentKent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
coast.
Variants
Junkers W 33:-b.-c,-dd and -f powered by a 310 hp Junkers L5Junkers L5
-External links:* * http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Duxford/germaer1.htm...
watercooled inline engine.
Junkers W 33:-c3e and -he powered by a 340 hp Junkers L5
Junkers L5
-External links:* * http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Duxford/germaer1.htm...
G watercooled inline engine.
Junkers W 33:-dGao powered by a 540 hp Siemens Sh 20 radial engine.
Junkers W 34: A 6-passenger version of the W 33 with air-cooled radial engines.
Junkers K 43: Military bombing and reconnaissance version, equipped with openings for machine guns in the cabin roof and floor.
PS-3: Most Russian registered W 33s had this designation.
PS-4: W 33s built in the Soviet Union carried this designation.
Trp2: Swedish Air Force designation.
Civil operators
Brazil
- Syndicato Condor
Canada
- Canadian AirwaysCanadian AirwaysCanadian Airways was an airline formed when Western Canadian Airways bought out Commercial. It operated through the 1930s until it was purchased by Canadian Pacific Air Lines in 1941, carrying passengers on mail planes into smaller communities.-History:James Armstrong Richardson established WCA in...
- SCADTASCADTAThe Colombian-German Air Transport Society , or SCADTA, was the world's second airline, and the first airline of the American continent, operating from 1919 until World War II. After the war, SCADTA merged with Colombian regional carrier Colombian Air Service , or SACO. Together, SCADTA and SACO...
(AviancaAviancaAvianca S.A. is the flag carrier airline of Colombia since December 5, 1919 when it was initially registered under the name SCADTA. It is headquartered in Bogotá, D.C. with its hub at the El Dorado International Airport...
).
- Deutsche Luft HansaDeutsche Luft HansaDeutsche Luft Hansa A.G. was a German airline, serving as flag carrier of the country during the later years of the Weimar Republic and throughout the Third Reich.-1920s:Deutsche Luft Hansa was founded on 6 January 1926 in Berlin...
Iceland: One on civil register W.33d, "Súlan" (The Gannet): Two on civil register.
: Three on civil register.
- DeruluftDeruluftDeruluft was a joint Soviet-German airline, established on 24 November 1921. Deruluft opened its first service to Moscow from Königsberg on 1 May 1922...
- DobrolyotDobrolyotDobrolyot, or sometimes Dobrolet, is an initialism for , an early Soviet Union air transport organisation, which was formed in 1923 and existed throughout the remainder of 1920s...
Military operators
- Colombian Air ForceColombian Air ForceThe Colombian Air Force or FAC is the Air Force of the Republic of Colombia.The Colombian Air Force is one of the three institutions of the Armed Forces of Colombia, charge according to the 1991 Constitution of the work to exercise and maintain control of Colombia's airspace to defend the...
Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Air ForceEthiopian Air ForceThe Ethiopian Air Force is the air arm of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and is tasked with protecting the air space, providing support to the ground forces as well as assisting during national emergencies.- Early years :...
Germany
- LuftwaffeLuftwaffeLuftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
Mongolia
- Mongolian People's Army Air ForceMongolian People's ArmyThe Mongolian People's Army or Mongolian People's Revolutionary Army was established on 18 March 1921 as a secondary army under Soviet Red Army command during the 1920s and during World War II.-Creation of the army:One of the first actions of the new Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party...
operated 1 aircraft
- Swedish Air ForceSwedish Air ForceThe Swedish Air Force is the air force branch of the Swedish Armed Forces.-History:The Swedish Air Force was created on July 1, 1926 when the aircraft units of the Army and Navy were merged. Because of the escalating international tension during the 1930s the Air Force was reorganized and expanded...
- Soviet Air ForceSoviet Air ForceThe Soviet Air Force, officially known in Russian as Военно-воздушные силы or Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily and often abbreviated VVS was the official designation of one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces...