Junkers J 2

Junkers · Germany · first flew 1916 · fighter

The Junkers J 2 was a pioneering all-metal single-seat monoplane fighter of World War I, notable as one of the first cantilever low-wing monoplane fighters with an entirely metal structure and skin. It demonstrated Hugo Junkers's revolutionary approach to aircraft construction.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• WWI all-metal cantilever low-wing monoplane fighter
• Corrugated duralumin skin with no external wire bracing
• One of the first structurally complete all-metal aircraft

Instantly distinctive as a WWI-era low-wing monoplane rather than a biplane, with a thick corrugated metal wing devoid of external wires or struts; the angular, entirely riveted duralumin fuselage and cantilever wing are unlike any biplane contemporary.

Specifications

• The Junkers J 2 has a length of 7.43 m (24 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 11.7 m (38 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 200 km/h (124 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed from the earlier Junkers J 1 experimental aircraft, the J 2 was the first Junkers design to be evaluated as a potential fighter by the German Army Air Service. While its performance was not superior to biplane contemporaries, the J 2 proved the structural integrity of all-metal construction and the viability of the cantilever thick-wing concept. Only six were built.

Variants

Developed from the J 1 prototype; the J 3, J 4 (J.I), and subsequent Junkers military and civil types followed.

Where you'll see it

Evaluated by the Imperial German Army Air Service but not adopted for front-line use, limited to six production examples.

Related aircraft

• Junkers J 1 Blechesel
• Junkers J 7
• Junkers J 8
• Junkers J.I
• AEG C.IV
• AEG C.V
• AGO C.III
• AGO C.IV

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