10/13/1930: Revisiting the Junkers Ju 52's Maiden Flight

The Junkers Ju 52's maiden flight is commonly dated October 13, 1930, the anniversary marked by this History post. Norway's Store norske leksikon gives that date, but archival research records an earlier flight.

In a documentary study of the single-engine Ju 52, aviation historian Günther Ott places the prototype's first flight at Dessau on September 11, 1930, with Captain Wilhelm Zimmermann at the controls. Ernst Zindel led the design work. The aircraft began as a freighter, with a large loading space intended for bulky cargo.

The familiar three-engine airliner followed. After Deutsche Luft Hansa pilots assessed the single-engine aircraft, their reservations about its configuration prompted Junkers to investigate a trimotor version. Trials with dummy wing-mounted engines took place in April 1931, according to Ott's study.

From Freighter to Airliner

The Ju 52/3m retained the basic airframe of the single-engine Ju 52/1m, while its cabin and equipment were adapted for scheduled passenger service. The Junkers historical account describes seating for 15 passengers, or 17 with folding seats, along with heating, ventilation, baggage and mail storage, and a washroom and toilet.

Deutsche Luft Hansa received its first Ju 52/3m in May 1932 and put it into service. By 1937, the type accounted for 110 aircraft, or 85% of the carrier's fleet, according to the same account.

Wartime and Postwar Service

The Ju 52 became a military transport as well as an airliner. The Deutsches Museum describes its use as a transport aircraft during World War II. Its account records production continuing after the war in France, where the aircraft was built as the AAC.1 Toucan.

In Britain, ex-Luftwaffe Ju 52s served with British European Airways on London–Belfast and some Scottish services in 1947. The Aviation and Aerospace Archives Initiative's BEA history says they were withdrawn at the end of August that year because of a lack of spares. Douglas Dakotas were already part of BEA's fleet when the Ju 52s joined it.

The type's preservation now includes a museum role. In July 2026, Lufthansa Group announced an August 1 public opening for Hangar One in Frankfurt, with the Ju 52 bearing the historic D-AQUI markings among its central exhibits.

Featured image: Historical photo of Ju-Air Junkers Ju 52/3m HB-HOS in flight over Austria on July 13, 2013, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.