Aircraft 10

Aircraft

A selection of pictures of aircraft seen at Croydon throughout it's history

Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG

Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG (JFM, earlier JCO or JKO in World War I), more commonly Junkers, was a major German aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturer. It produced some of the world's most innovative and best-known airplanes over the course of its fifty-plus year history in Dessau, Germany. It was founded there in 1895 by Hugo Junkers, initially manufacturing boilers and radiators. During World War I, and following the war, the company became famous for its pioneering all-metal aircraft. During World War II the company produced some of the most successful Luftwaffe planes, as well as piston and jet aircraft engines, albeit in the absence of its founder, who had been removed by the Nazis in 1934.

(below) 1930. Junkers F13FE

(below) Junkers G24

Junkers52

Flights between Croydon and Germany were still operating during 1939 almost up to the declaration of war. The swastica was Germany's national flag, and was used on the tail of Lufthansa planes. As tensions grew between England and Germany , the German pilots coming in and out of Croydon started taking slight detours, it turned out they were mapping the lay of the land for future use. The (above) photo of a 'Junkers 52 3m' is of the last 'Lufthansa' to land at Croydon. (below) members of the German Athletics team stand by a 'Junkers 52' in 1935 prior to the 'Olympics'.


A 'Junkers 52' coming in to land over the main terminal building	A 'Junkers 52' parked on the tarmac apron being loaded. both pictures late 1930's