| J.I | |
|---|---|
| Role | Observation and liaison aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Junkers |
| Designer | Otto Mader |
| First flight | 28 January 1917[1] |
| Introduction | 1917 |
| Retired | 1918 |
| Primary user | Luftstreitkräfte |
| Number built | 227 |
The Junkers J.I (manufacturer's designation J 4; not to be confused with the earlier, pioneering J 1 all-metal monoplane of 1915/16) was a German "J-class" armored sesquiplane of World War I, developed for low-level ground attack, observation and Army cooperation. It is especially noteworthy as being the first all-metal aircraft to enter mass production; the aircraft's metal construction and heavy armour was an effective shield against battlefield's small arms fire.[2]
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In an extremely advanced design, a single-unit steel "bathtub" that ran from just behind the propeller to the rear crew position acted not only as an armour, but also both as the main fuselage structure and engine mounting setup in one unit. The armour was 5 millimetres (0.20 in) thick and weighed 470 kilograms (1,000 lb). It protected the crew, the engine, the fuel tanks and the radio equipment (if fitted).[3] The aircraft could be disassembled into its main components – wings, fuselage, undercarriage and tail – to make it easier to transport by rail or road. A ground crew of six to eight could re–assemble the aircraft and have it ready for flight within four to six hours.[4] The wings were covered with skin of aluminum that was .19 millimetres (0.0075 in) thick. This could be easily dented so great care had to be taken when handling the aircraft on the ground.[4]
J.I was well liked by its crews, although its ponderous performance earned it the nickname "furniture van". The aircraft first entered front service in August 1917.[5] They were used on the Western Front during the German Spring Offensive (Kaiserschlacht "Kaiser's Battle") of March 1918. The production at Junkers works was quite slow due to poor organization. There were only 227 J.Is manufactured until the production ceased in January 1919 (some of the production continued after the end of the war).[6] None were apparently lost in combat, a tribute to its tough armoured design,[6] but a few were lost in landing accidents, and other mishaps.[7]
Only one relatively complete aircraft survived, bearing German military serial number J.I 586/17, it is preserved at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. This aircraft, construction number 252, was manufactured in 1918 and was a war trophy that was sent to Canada in 1919. It was in the possession of the Canadian War Museum before being transferred to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in 1969.[8]
Additionally, one Junkers J.I fuselage exists, at the Science & Technology National Museum in Milan, Italy.[9]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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