At the beginning of August 2024, the newest aircraft developed by Junkers Aircraft GmbH, designated A50 Heritage, successfully performed its maiden flight. The aeroplane is a version of already manufactured A50 Junior aircraft, however designed to resemble as closely as possible the original Junkers A50 from the 1920s.
The story of Junkers A50 began in the late 1920s, when Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG company introduced into the market its new, all-metal sport aircraft. The aeroplane was designed by Herman Pohlmann and was a monoplane covered with corrugated duralumin sheets, which became the characteristic feature of passenger aircraft manufactured by the Junkers company.
The A50 was built only in a small number of aircraft. However, the aircraft became quite famous. In 1931, Marga von Etzdorf, flying a Junkers A50, became the first woman to perform a solo flight from Berlin to Tokyo. Captain Väinö Bremer of the Finnish Air Force successfully completed three long-range trips in his A50, nicknamed Junnu – around Europe in 1931, across Africa to Cape Town and back in 1932 and finally a flight around the world in 1933 (although both oceans were crossed onboard a ship).
The aeroplane was also used by air forces and civilian operators all over the world: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Africa, Uruguay, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom (for more information about the Junkers A50 from the interwar period, please check our article issued in July of 2021 – Junkers A50ci ´Junior´)
In 2019, Junkers Aircraft GmbH developed a modern ultralight aeroplane based on the original A50 concept from the 1920s. The aircraft, designated A50 Junior, is powered by a four-cylinder Rotax engine, generating 100 hp. Although being based on more than ninety years old design, the new A50 was equipped with the latest aviation technology solutions, including glass cockpit and parachute rescue system. And, unlike the original aeroplane, which was made in aluminium silver, the new A50 is being offered in six different colour schemes.
Shortly after introducing the new A50, Junkers Aircraft GmbH launched development of another variant of the aircraft. It was the company response to the needs of aviation market and interest in modern ultralight aeroplane strictly resembling the original design.
And that was how the Junkers A50 Heritage was created – powered by 124 hp Verner Scarlett 7U radial engine and equipped with analogue display cockpit. The aeroplane is not only resembling its predecessor but, in addition, offers the similar flying experience in an open cockpit with tandem seat configuration.
At the beginning of August 2024, the A50 Heritage successfully performed its maiden flight.
Junkers Aircraft GmbH was founded in 2015 by Dieter Morszeck. The company continues the heritage of Hugo Junkers by rebuilding his historical aeroplanes, as well as developing and manufacturing their modern variants. In 2016, the company introduced into the market a replica of Junkers F 13. Four years later, the modern version of the A50 Junior performed its maiden flight.
Nowadays, the company offers three variants of the classic A50 design, the aforementioned Junior and Heritage, as well as Junkers A60 – representing contemporary approach to the original concept and featuring enclosed cockpit in side-by-side seat configuration, retractable undercarriage, Rotax 912 IS engine and Garmin avionics.
For more information about the life and works of Hugo Junkers, please refer to our article issued in February of 2023 – 3 February – birth (1859) and death (1935) of Hugo Junkers.
Cover photo: Junkers A50 Heritage, between two A50 Junior aircraft. Photo courtesy of Junkers Aircraft GmbH
