Junkers Ju 46
Junkers · Germany · first flew 1932 · transport aircraft
The Junkers Ju 46 was a German single-engine monoplane designed specifically for catapult-launched airmail operations from ocean liners, enabling faster delivery of mail across the Atlantic by launching the aircraft near the destination. Its robust all-metal construction suited the demanding maritime operating environment.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.06 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Corrugated all-metal low-wing monoplane typical of Junkers 1930s design
- Designed as a catapult-launched mail plane for mid-ocean ship-to-shore operations
- Fixed spatted undercarriage or floatplane configuration
Standard corrugated Junkers low-wing monoplane appearance; distinguishable from contemporaries by its relatively large span and single-engine configuration optimised for long overwater stages.
Specifications
- The Junkers Ju 46 has a length of 11.06 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.8 m (58 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 230 km/h (143 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the early 1930s for Deutsche Luft Hansa's South Atlantic mail service, the Ju 46 was catapulted from depot ships stationed mid-ocean, flying the final leg of the journey ahead of the vessel. This allowed mail to arrive days earlier than if it had waited for the ship. The type operated primarily on the South Atlantic route.
Variants
A floatplane variant was produced for water operations; both wheeled and float versions flew the South Atlantic mail routes.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Deutsche Luft Hansa on the South Atlantic catapult mail service in the early-to-mid 1930s; not widely exported.
Related aircraft
- Junkers Ju 52
- Junkers Ju 60
- Junkers Ju 49
- Junkers Ju 160
- Couzinet 70 Arc-en-Ciel
- Northrop Gamma
- SPCA 80
- Avro 619 Five
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