Junkers Ju 160

Junkers · Germany · first flew 1934 · airliner

The Junkers Ju 160 was a single-engine low-wing monoplane airliner designed for high-speed passenger services on Lufthansa routes in the mid-1930s. Its clean aerodynamics and retractable undercarriage gave it a cruising speed that rivalled many contemporary twin-engine transports.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsLow-mounted, straight
E — Engines1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage12 m fuselage
T — TailConventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

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Sleek single-engine low-wing monoplane with smooth metal skin, a single large radial engine with close-fitting cowl, retractable undercarriage, and a streamlined oval-section fuselage; smaller than the Ju 52 and considerably faster.

Specifications

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

History

First flown in 1934, the Ju 160 was a departure from Junkers' corrugated-skin tradition, featuring smooth stressed-skin construction for reduced drag. Lufthansa operated it on express domestic routes, and the type was exported to Brazil and China before being supplanted by more capable twin-engine designs.

Variants

Several sub-variants with different powerplants were produced; a military utility version was also evaluated by the Luftwaffe.

Where you'll see it

Operated by Lufthansa on German domestic express routes in the late 1930s; also exported to Brazil and China.

Related aircraft

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