Junkers Ju 49

Junkers · Germany · first flew 1931 · light aircraft

The Junkers Ju 49 was a single-engine German high-altitude research aircraft of the early 1930s, built to explore pressurisation technology and engine performance at extreme altitudes. It was one of the first aircraft to feature a pressurised crew compartment.

Recognition (WEFT)

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

Spot it by:

• German high-altitude pressurised research monoplane, 1931
• Very high aspect-ratio straight wing
• Junkers corrugated metal skinning on wing and fuselage surfaces

Distinctive by its very high aspect-ratio straight wing spanning 28 m, single engine, Junkers corrugated-skin construction, and the bulged pressurised crew enclosure integrated into the forward fuselage.

Specifications

• The Junkers Ju 49 has a length of 17.21 m (56 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 28.24 m (93 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 146 km/h (91 mph).
• Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Developed by Junkers in the late 1920s and first flown in 1931, the Ju 49 was a dedicated research platform rather than a practical transport or military type. It demonstrated the feasibility of pressurised high-altitude flight, contributing knowledge that influenced later pressurised airliners and high-altitude bombers. Only one aircraft was built.

Variants

Single prototype; no production variants.

Where you'll see it

Used exclusively as a research aircraft by Junkers and the DVL (German Research Institute for Aeronautics) during the early 1930s.

Related aircraft

• Junkers Ju 46
• Junkers Ju 52
• Junkers Ju 60
• Junkers A50 Junior
• Berliner-Joyce OJ-2
• Breda Ba.25
• Caproni Ca.113
• Fairchild 22

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.