Junkers R.I
Giant Aircraft, not built
In early 1915 Hugo Junkers started studies about a large scale all metal aircraft. In May 1915 Junkers makes a first proposal for an all metal Giant Aircraft to IDFLIEG. This proposal looks like a large scaled J1 design. However, due to the problems of the J1 and the Junkers engagement in the J2 and J3, IDFLIEG was not interested in Junkers' idea.
It took up to 1917, when the Giant Aircraft Division of IDFLIEG asked Junkers for another proposal. The developement of the R I 57/17 was managed by Dr. Mader. In contrast to the typical double wing Giant aircraft of the other manufacturers, Mader designed a monoplane all metal aircraft. He returned to the ideas of Junkers wing-only patent of 1910, which added some glider features to the Giant R I. Mader's major idea was to create a powerfull Giant aircraft, which was capable for larger payload and higher speed than the conventional Giants of 1917.
IDFLIEG was principly convienced with the R I design, however the design seemed to be more capable as a transport than a bomber aircraft. Therefore another design was ordered as R II 58/18 in 1918. Due to problems with the serial production of the J4 and due to the end of WWI both designs at last were dropped without the production of any aircraft.
A very early Giant Aircraft design of Junkers was dated June 1915. This design saw a monoplane aircraft. No detailed designs are available. In 1917 Junkers offered a biplane sea aircraft as a Giant Aircraft. This aircraft had a centralized fuselage and a double tail unit. A G monplane for sea missions was developed by Junkers in late 1917. This aircraft was developed upon an order for three seaplane Giants by the German Navy. None was built until the end of WWI. Another Giant Seaplane (R-Seaplane) design was offered by Junkers to the Navy in 1918. This design was far ahead of it s time.
Technical Data:
| Aircraft | year | engine | length in m | span in m | wing area im sqm | net weight in kg | payload in kg | seats | speed in km/h | range in km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Aircraft R I 57/17 R II 58/18 Seaplane Giant G Monoplane R Seaplane | 1915 1917 1918 1917 1917 1918 | 1 x 294kW 2 x 2 Mercedes D IVb (191kW) 2 x 2 Mercedes D Ivb (191kW) Junkers Fo 2 (368kW) 2 x Mercedes D Ivb (191kW) 4 x 515 kW | 13,40 23,30 23,30 n.a. n.a. 33,00 | 20,00 35,00 35,00 30,00 n.a. 60,00 | n.a. 200,00 200,00 100,00 n.a. 532,00 | n.a. 6000 6000 n.a. n.a. 18500 | n.a. 2500 4000 n.a. 2180 11500 | 3 4 4 3 n.a. 7 | n.a. 180 170 n.a. n.a. 170 | n.a. 800 1800 n.a. n.a. 2500 |
Weblinks:
- flyingmachines.ru - R.I Story, Photos, Drawings, Data
- Wikipedia.org - R-Typen Story, Data
introduced Jul 1996, transfered Aug 2017
http://hugojunkers.bplaced.net/
contents last updated 19 Jul 2003