Junkers Ju 252 and '352 Replacing Aunty Ju

摘要

The Luftwaffe's primary transport aircraft was the three-engined Junkers 52/3m, nicknamed Tante Ju (Aunty Ju). However, by the outbreak of war, the Luftwaffe was looking for a replacement. This would be the shortlived Ju 252 and its slightly more successful successor the Ju 352 Herkules.By December 1938, Junkers was already in discussion with Deutsche Luft Hansa (DLH) for a replacement for its Ju 52/3m airliners. The idea of three engines was still in favour, but instead of the Ju 52's corrugated skinning, the new aircraft was to be smooth-surfaced. It would also have a retractable, as opposed to fixed, undercarriage and be capable of carrying up to 35 passengers in a pressurised cabin. Furthermore, powered by three Junkers Jumo 211F engines, it would have a greater speed and range than the aircraft it was replacing and would also feature a hydraulic loading ramp (Trapoklappe) at the rear of the fuselage, much like modern transport aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.