Futuristic retro: Junkers reintroduces A50 Junior

Talk about being ahead of its time: Junkers’ A50 Junior was designed to fit Light Sport Aircraft’s weight limit of 1,320 pounds — 93 years ago.

“In 1928, what was to become the most successful Junkers sports aircraft left our Dessau production plant (in Germany) for the first time: A single-engine, two-seat, low-wing aircraft with an oval fuselage cross-section and corrugated sheet metal skin,” company officials say. “Astonishingly, she had a takeoff weight of a mere 600 kilograms (1,320 pounds), a light aircraft from the very beginning.”

Why am I writing about a 93-year-old aircraft?

Because “It’s back!”

Back to the Future

The original Junkers (pronounced yunkers) A50 Junior had its maiden flight in February 1929, according to company officials.

“In that year, 69 aircraft were manufactured, some of which set a number of world records,” officials continue. “Famously Marga von Etzdorf was the first woman to fly from Berlin to Tokyo in 1930 with her Junior A50.”

The aircraft had the potential to become “the people’s aircraft,” company records report, but the Great Depression intervened.

Now, the company has revived the A50 Junior, combining the latest technology with the flair of the 1930s.

“This unique aircraft induces feelings of freedom for new adventures,” said Junkers officials in pitching the renewed aircraft. “With our new production A50 Junior, the dream of flying back in time is today attainable.”

New technologies include a Rotax engine, MT Mühlbauer propeller, Beringer brakes, Garmin avionics, and a Galaxy whole airframe parachute system.

Inspired by the original birth of the A50 in 1929, the first 29 aircraft will be sold at an introductory price of €179,000 (as this is written dollars and euros are almost at parity).

Collaboration

To create the stylish, vintage design, Junkers partnered with Kaelin Aero, a renowned aviation engineering company in Germany with a lot of experience in renovations and modifications. The choice seemed appropriate, in two ways.

From an engineer’s view, Kaelin put a large, qualified staff on the task. The vintage-appearing construction looks rather labor intensive, as with most specialty manufacturing.

With that in mind, that introductory price may be quite a value.

From a stylist’s view, A50 Junior is a work of art from its graceful air-splitting nose down its corrugated skin, to its leather cockpit trim and two open tandem seats, to its wire-spoke wheels.

“A50 Junior resembles a typical light aircraft from the end of the 1920s, so it has a very classic appearance,” Kaelin officials said.

But it also incorporates the latest technology, they said, “to ensure the greatest possible safety.”

The cockpit retains its retro trim, with the modern avionics installed in the back seat for the pilot.

As it is poised for a comeback, the vintage, yet modern, aircraft will generate admiring looks at any airfield you visit.

While no plans are in place — yet — for the aircraft to be sold in the U.S., it will be interesting to see if American pilots find this classic appearance compelling?

Perhaps in the future…?

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Wingspan: 32 feet
• Length: 23 feet 4 inches
• Height: 7 feet 9 inches
• Empty weight: 705 pounds
• Max weight: 1,320 pounds
• Engine: 100 horsepower Rotax 912iS
• Fuel Capacity: 31.7 gallons
• Cruise Speed: 100 knots
• Top Speed: 111 knots
• Stall Speed: 41 miles per hour

Information supplied by Junkers