Junkers A32
(AFI Designator: K39)
postal and survey aircraft, F/F: 1926, 2 built
three seated cantilever monoplane, corrugated Duralumin
designed by Zindel, supported by Plauth


Junkers A32 Civil Version

Historical Data:

Parallel to the twin-seated A20/A25/A35-family, Junkers started a new developement of a smaller multi-purpose aircraft under the designator A32 in 1926. This aircraft was intended to be used as a postal-, reconaissance- and aerial photography aircraft. Reconaissance experiences from the A20-family showed, that double seated aircraft showed a lack of defense during the phases, when the second occupant was busy with photographic work. Therefore the A32 was designed as a three-seated aircraft with one pilot position, one photographer position and one gunner position on the rear seat of the aircraft.

The A32 prototype was first flown during 1926. It was equipped with the new BMW VI engine. Later this engine was changed with the Junkers L55. So the A32 became the first aircraft, which was equipped with a V-engine. Just two A32s were built and used by Junkers for experimental flights with the new L55 engine. None of these aircraft could be sold. On November 2nd 1927, Karl Plauth, one of Junkers' most dynamic engineers died during a crash of the A32 prototype, when he failed to perform a looping with this aircraft.


Junkers/AFI K39 Military Version

Officially the A32 was used for postal and aerial photography missions. But Junkers also thought about using the aircraft for reconaissance missions. For this purpose two machine guns were integrated in front of the pilots seat and another machine gun was mounted at the rear seat. A fourth crew member position was added at the bottom of the fuselage for the bomb officer. This militarized A32 was designated as K39. This aircraft could be used for reconaissance and bomber missions as well. Only one K39 was equipped at A.B. Flygindustri at Limhamn. This K39 might have been the modified second A32 prototype. No customers were found for that aircraft, but Junkers continued this design with the Junkers S36 later on.

Technical Data:
Aircraft year engine length
in m		 span
in m		 wing area
im sqm		 net weight
in kg		 payload
in kg		 seats speed
in km/h		 range
in km
A32 1926 1 x BMW VI (440kW) 11,10 17,80 41,00 1860 865 3 seats 220 560
K39
K39		 1927
1928		 BMW VI (440kW)
Junkers L55 (480 kW)		 11,10
11,10		 17,80
17,90		 41,00
40,00		 1950
2150		 780
1330		 1 pilot + 2 obs. 210
230		 560
830

A32/K39 Subtypes:
A32, civil prototype with BMW VI engine
A32ba postal- and aerial photography version with Junkers L55 engine
K39, bomber and reconnaissance version with BMW VI, also L55 and L88 engine.

Further material at the Hugo Junkers Homepage about A32/K39:
Junkers Production List Section >>>


Updated:
26th January 2003		 The Hugo Junkers Homepage
at http://www.junkers.de.vu
� Horst Zoeller, Germany, July 1996
[email protected]
visitors since October 2000
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