Junkers Ju J1
In spring 1914 Junkers initiated the development of his own aircraft at ICO in Dessau. The experimental developements were interrupted by the breakout of WW I in August 1914. The ICO facilities were further utilized for wartime productions, especially front kitchens, etc. But in May 1915 Junkers achieved a test order for the further developement of his all metal aircraft by the German War Ministry, when delegates of this Ministry visited the Dessau ICO plants.
In September 1915 the production of the J1 prototype began at Dessau and by the beginning of December 1915 the first Junkers aircraft was finished. As the ICO facilities at Dessau did not have an airport, the prototype was transported to Doeberitz, where the first flight was performed on December, 12th 1915 by Leutnant Friedrich von Mallinkrodt, who was a member of the German Air Force.
The J1 was the world's first airworthy internal all-metal monoplane construction. In January 1916 the IDFLIEG (German Airforce) performed several experimental flights with the J1. With 170 km/hrs the J1 is one of the world's fastest aircraft at this time. Due to its all-metal construction the aircraft offered more safety to its pilot especially against gun attacks from the ground, than the conventional textile covered aircraft at this time. The IDFLIEG is satisfied with the experimental flights of 1916. Nevertheless the J1 had poor performance during climb phases and turns. No further aircraft of this type were built and construction focused on the J2.
After the experimental flights were stopped, the Junkers J1 was transfered to the Junkers Educational Exhibition at Dessau. Later the aircraft was offered to the Deutsches Museum at Munich, where the aircraft was on display. Here it was destroyed during a bombing attack in WWII.
In September 1915 the production of the J1 prototype began at Dessau and by the beginning of December 1915 the first Junkers aircraft was finished. As the ICO facilities at Dessau did not have an airport, the prototype was transported to Doeberitz, where the first flight was performed on December, 12th 1915 by Leutnant Friedrich von Mallinkrodt, who was a member of the German Air Force.
The J1 was the world's first airworthy internal all-metal monoplane construction. In January 1916 the IDFLIEG (German Airforce) performed several experimental flights with the J1. With 170 km/hrs the J1 is one of the world's fastest aircraft at this time. Due to its all-metal construction the aircraft offered more safety to its pilot especially against gun attacks from the ground, than the conventional textile covered aircraft at this time. The IDFLIEG is satisfied with the experimental flights of 1916. Nevertheless the J1 had poor performance during climb phases and turns. No further aircraft of this type were built and construction focused on the J2.
After the experimental flights were stopped, the Junkers J1 was transfered to the Junkers Educational Exhibition at Dessau. Later the aircraft was offered to the Deutsches Museum at Munich, where the aircraft was on display. Here it was destroyed during a bombing attack in WWII.