Herpa - 019422 - Aircraft, Propeller, Junkers Ju-52 - JU-AIR - G-AHOG

Specific Item Information: In 1932, exactly 90 years ago, the Junkers Ju-52/3m, the three-engine and by far the most important version of the legendary “Auntie Ju”, took off for the first time. The Lufthansa Ju-52 has been a classic and perennial favorite in the Herpa program virtually since the beginning of the Wings series (item n° 019040). Less well-known is that British European Airways also had ten Ju-52s in service from 1946 to 1948. The UK government established BEA in 1946 to serve initially European and, from 1947, domestic routes. To do so, it first operated a motley fleet that also included ten Ju-52s acquired from the defeated Germans. Since “Junkers” sounds like “junk” in English, at BEA, the German aircraft flew under the name of “Jupiters”. They were used exclusively on domestic routes. While popular with their crews, the lack of spare parts for the BMW engines resulted in a swift end of service after two years.

Model Information: This model is one the very rare aircraft models available in 1/160 scale. Herpa is focusing its production mainly on currently airworthy Ju-52 including their re-painted versions for advertising campaigns.

Length: 11.88 cm / 4.63 in
Wingspan: 18.12 cm / 7.07 in

Prototype History: The Junkers Ju 52/3m (nicknamed Tante Ju ("Aunt Ju") and Iron Annie) is a German trimotor transport aircraft manufactured from 1931 to 1952. Initially designed with a single engine but subsequently produced as a trimotor it saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over twelve air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Lufthansa as an airliner and freight hauler. In a military role, it flew with the German Luftwaffe as a troop and cargo transport and briefly as a medium bomber. The Ju 52 continued in postwar service with military and civilian air fleets well into the 1980s.

Two variants were constructed:
- Amiot AAC.1 Toucan (France)
- CASA 352 (Spain)

Read more on Wikipedia.

Road Name History: Based at the AIR FORCE CENTER Duebendorf (near Zurich, Switzerland) since 1983, JU-AIR has given many people the opportunity to enjoy unique flying experiences on board its four Junkers Ju-52 oldtimer airplanes, affectionately known in German as 'Tante Ju' ('Auntie Ju').

Brand/Importer Information: Herpa, or Herpa Miniaturmodelle GmbH, is a German manufacturer of die-cast model aircraft under the Herpa Wings trademark and plastic car models under the Herpa Cars & Trucks trademark. The mainstay of Herpa Wings is in the 1/500 scale, although models are also produced in the 1/400, 1/200, and 1/1000 scales as well. Herpa Cars & Trucks are mainly produced in the 1/87 scale, although 1/120 and 1/160 scales are also offered.
Herpa also produces magazines for car & truck enthusiasts and model aircraft enthusiasts, known as Der Maßstab and WingsWorld respectively.

Read more on Wikipedia.