Junkers J.I

  • A German biplane developed during the First World War for low-level front-line observation and ground attack
  • Became the first all-metal aircraft to go into production anywhere in the world (1917)
  • With a forward body covered with steel plates, it was almost impenetrable to ground fire (making it a respected adversary)
  • Its robust construction meant that although several aircraft were lost in landing, none were reported destroyed during combat
Period
First World War (1914-1918)
Uses
Observation
First Flight
early 1917
Display Status
In Storage Wing.

Background History

Developed for low-level, front-line observation, the Junkers J.I was the first all-metal aircraft to go into series production anywhere in the world. The completely armoured nose-capsule of 5-mm chrome-nickel sheet-steel enclosed the engine and crew compartment. Its weight, combined with the relatively heavy metal construction, resulted in a fairly slow aircraft but provided effective protection against ground-fire. Of 227 Junkers J.Is built, it is not known how many served with the German Air Force or the nature of their activity.

The Museum aircraft is the only surviving Junkers J.I. The strength of its metal structure eliminated the need for external bracing wires typical of other biplanes of the time. Although heavy, cumbersome, and slow to take off from rough ground, J.Is were immensely strong and well suited for low-level observation. Although downward-firing machine guns were planned, they were found too difficult to aim and were not used.

Museum Example

Registration #
586/18
Manufacturer
Junkers-Fokker Werke A.G., Germany
Manufacture Date
1918
Construction #
252
Acquisition Date
1969/dd>
Provenance
Transfer from the Canadian War Museum
Museum Catalogue #
1967.0668.001

Manufactured in 1918, this J.I was sent to Canada from Dieppe on the SS Venusia in May 1919, as a war trophy. The Museum believes that the aircraft's armament consisted of one flexible mounted gun for the observer, although some accounts mention that fixed forward-firing guns were also provided on the aircraft. This Junkers J.I was assembled and put on display to the public in Toronto at the Canadian National Exhibition in August 1919. In 1939, it was transferred from Camp Borden to the Aeronautical Museum. It was later moved to the Canadian War Museum's warehouse, and was transferred to this Museum in 1969. It is the only complete Junkers J.I that exists in the world.

Technical Specifications

 
Wing Span 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Length 9.1 m (29 ft 10 1/4 in)
Height 3.4 m (11 ft 1 7/8 in)
Weight, Empty 1,766 kg (3,893 lb)
Weight, Gross 2,140 kg (4,718 lb)
Cruising Speed 140 km/h (87 mph)
Max Speed 155 km/h (96 mph)
Rate of Climb 2,000 m (6,560 ft) / 32 min
Service Ceiling Unknown
Range Unknown
Power Plant one Benz BzIV, 200 hp, in-line engine