Whoops - Parting Shot in the February 2022 RCM&E - 1918 Junkers J1 Sesquiplane:

[Jon Harper]

Thought I would post this corrected flight video link for my Junkers J1 that we flew this fall and is included in the Feb 2022 Parting shot.  I must have made a typo for the link.  Apologies.

 

The Junkers J.1 (actually manufacturers # J4) was a ground support and reconnaissance biplane.  Nicknamed the Mobelwagen “furniture van", or “Moving Van” or the “flying tank”.  The J.I was very rugged and well liked by its crews despite its clumsy handling, entering front line service in August 1917 with the official name of “Junk 1”.

 

The J.I was the first almost all metal mass produced “in service” aircraft with a cantilevered sesquiplane wing configuration sheeted in 2mm thick corrugated duraluminum. The front of the fuselage was wrapped in a 1/4” steel armour plate tub (weighting 470kg, 1,040 lbs) protecting the engine, fuel tanks, radio gear, and crew - making it almost invulnerable to ground fire.  The rear fuselage was formed with a duraluminum tubular frame covered in fabric.  Flying surfaces were controlled by pushrods rather than flying wire to resist ground fire.  Most losses occurred during landings and takeoffs.

 

A weight comparison:  the Junkers J1 weighed 4700lbs, a Sopwith Camel weighed around 1450 lbs, and a DR1 weighed about 1290lbs.  

 

Our local aviation museum (CASM) kindly allowed my friend Chuck and me to bring my J1 model for comparison photos with the actual J1 serial 586/18 which I have also included.

 

2nd flight link here:

https://youtu.be/Sp3NyVGBPc4

 

Long flight with wheels off landing

https://youtu.be/pu8spy1-crE

 

Part flight and landing

https://youtu.be/QW_e2NtTQqs

 

The Build thread here:

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php...

 

 

 

Edited January 15, 2022 by Jon Harper

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Lovely model Jon ?

[Jon Harper]

Thanks David, it was a challenging build with corrugated art board.

 

Another nice flight photo….on an overcast day.

Edited January 15, 2022 by Jon Harper

[Jon Harper]

And the camo pattern on top…

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Love it, there’s plenty going on with that design ?

[Jon Harper]

4 minutes ago, Jon Harper said:

And the camo pattern on top

 

 

Edited January 15, 2022 by Jon Harper

[Jon Harper]

Historically accurate landing position

[Jon Harper]

Whoops I meant to upload this photo just as covering with the corrugated art board had started.