Junkers Ju-52

[GTX]

Hi folks,

I'm sure many of you will be familiar with the turbo-prop conversion of the venerable Dakota:


What if more JJu 52/3ms had survived the war and had been kept in operational service around the world - could we have seen some turboprop conversions performed to result in some Turbo Tante Ju's?

Regards,

Greg

[upnorth]

I'm certain it could have been done, but I'm rather sceptical that it would have been done.

The Ju-52 with its corrugated metal fuselage and fixed landing gear most most certainly a high drag airframe. While the Dakota was no speed demon herself, she did have the advantage of a smoother fuselage, better contours and was designed with retractable gear.

I rather doubt the full benefits of re-engining the JU-52 with turbo props would be effectively realized without radical redesign of the whole airframe including a redesigned undercarriage that would retract.

I have doubt that anyone in the post war era would be interested in sinking the kind of funds and time required into so many changes to a largely obsolete design just for the sake of effectively marrying turbo props up to her.

Uprated piston engines perhaps, but turbo props would be a waste without the massive redesign.

[K5054NZ]

Turbo props would be a waste without the massive redesign.

^_^  Consider it done.



As with the FAC Chipmunk, I would like to claim this idea for me to build upon. GTX, with your permission, I would like to build this Turbo Ju.

[Son of Damian]

Not to mention most German aircraft, even flyable ones, were scrapped. There were also a lot of cheap Dakotas around to, so..................

But with a large number still in service around the world in exotic locals, anythings possible. Not to mention I saw a photo of a Dornier flying boat that had retro fitted with trubos, I have to find it for y'all. I've also seen a photo some where of French C-47s and Ju 52s in Indochina. The Ju 52s having been taken from an airline in Asia that flew them.    

[Archibald]

Compared to the C-47, Ju-52 was really a crap... I red somewhere that the Ju-52 was the first airliner massively adopted by the companies... but the Dakota was the first who permit them EARN money, not losing it!
In France the Ju-52 was named Tante Ju (Ie Aunt Julia). AdA use some Ju-52 until 1960, to monitor the first nuclear tests in Reggane!
A Ju-52 with small turboprops would probably be  nice and i really want to see that (I think about Mamba or Dart  turboprops similar to Gannet or Alizée...)  

[famvburg]

    Considering the Ju-52 used essentially Geman built P & W R-1340s, which many cropdusters are & were powered by, as here in the USA. Many since the '70s have been converted to P & W PT-6 or Garrett turbo props, I can see a Ju-52 with the same turbo prop installations. Speed is not always the root of converting to turbo props. Many times it's the improved reliability & maintenance, as well as performance. An example is on the cropdusters, both the radial engine & PT-6 are 600 HP. In addition to the PT-6 allowing a much sleeker installation, an aerodynamic improvement itself, the PT-6 weighs about 1/4 of the radial. This equates to increased payload as well as improved performance & reliability. PT-6s also allow more flexibility in fuel choices. Jet Fuel, AvGas, Diesel, Gasoline & the like. The piston engine is limited to AvGas, or Gasoline at worst case. For PT-6s or Garretts, one could fair in the cowl assemblies from a Tucano.

[GTX]

Zac,

GTX, with your permission, I would like to build this Turbo Ju.

Go for it - I tend to generate more ideas than I have time to model anyway.  I can't wait to see the result.

Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

I had also considered this application for the PBY Catalina using the same C-130 parts. I think that would look even better since it is such an ugly aircraft to start with.

Heresy!!! Stone that man now!!!

[lancer]

Guess it was a good thing that I didn't mention my idea about using the engines pods from a 1/48th scale A-10 to replace the radials on the Catalina...

Ohhhh good idea Jeff. I like it.  

[GTX]

Guess it was a good thing that I didn't mention my idea about using the engines pods from a 1/48th scale A-10 to replace the radials on the Catalina... ph34r.gif

Wait a minute - you didn't mention that.  There may be grounds for a reprieve afterall.  So long as you acknowledge that the Cat was/is one of the most beautiful creations ever to have flown and that it deserves to have something round on it's wings - be that radial engines (ooo..radials     ) or Turbo fans mounted to give USB like an An-72/74     - now there's an idea!

Regards,

Greg

[elmayerle]

Instead of re-engining the JU-52, how about doing the Ju-252 or -352 instead?  Lots of potential to work from there.

[Archibald]

Geoff the plane you describe exist : its the Pilatus PC-6 (there's also the PC-12, and the TBM-700...)

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Wait a minute - you didn't mention that.  There may be grounds for a reprieve afterall.  So long as you acknowledge that the Cat was/is one of the most beautiful creations ever to have flown and that it deserves to have something round on it's wings - be that radial engines (ooo..radials     ) or Turbo fans mounted to give USB like an An-72/74     - now there's an idea!

Recant?  NEVER!  The Catalina is still one of the ugliest yet most functional aircraft ever designed, it will never be as pleasing to the eye as the Boeing 314 Clipper but it has all of the features I find alluring to me in that it flies as well as floats.  There is not a lot that can be done to improve upon what it was designed to do.  I also like the Mars, Mariner/Marlin, and the Shin Meiwa PS-1.  

Turbine engine powered Boeing 314 anyone?  

[ysi_maniac]

Two alternative Ju-52, by adding some Junkers bits (and a Condor nose).

[thundereagle1997]

https://www.deviantart.com/armoredryukenshi1984/art/F-53-Swordsdragon-view-11-931581647
Well done on the excellent artwork my friend