Page 322 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

320 TRANSPORT, RECONNAISSANCE, Cabin accommodated 18 troops

1914–1945 AND LIAISON AIRCRAFT

The first military transport aircraft were commercial airplanes
developed during the interwar period, but specially built designs

ARS better suited to military operations soon began to appear. Specialist ▲ JUNKERS JU. 52/3M With its three motors, rectangular
reconnaissance aircraft were developed, too: some, especially those
designed to undertake maritime operations, doubled up in the attack
fuselage and corrugated Duralumin
role, while others dispensed with armament completely in the interest
Launched 1932 Origin Germany
skin, the Ju. 52 was instantly
ORLD W of being able to fly higher and faster than any armed interceptor the Wingspan 95¾ft (29.25m) recognizable. Originally produced
Length 62ft (18.9m)
enemy could send against them—a principle that has held into
as a 17-seater airliner, it was taken up
for military service in 1935. In combat
Top speed 165mph (265kph)
the modern era. Light aircraft were also pressed into military
zones, losses were invariably high;
Engine Three 715hp (533kW)
service to operate both in and away from the combat zone.
280 were lost in May 1940 during
BMW 132 radials
the invasion of the Netherlands.
THE W High-mounted wing gave Loop antenna for finding direction
a good field of view

▲ CONSOLIDATED PBY CATALINA Designed as a “patrol bomber,” the ▲ FOCKE-WULF FW. 200 CONDOR The Condor was built for Lufthansa
Launched 1936 Origin US Catalina is the most successful flying Launched 1937 Origin Germany as a long-range airliner, but was
boat ever produced; many are still in adapted for military service in
3
Wingspan 104ft (31.7m) use, chiefly to fight wildfires, 75 years Wingspan 107 ⁄4ft (32.85m) mid-1939. It was not robust enough
Length 64ft (19.5m) after it was introduced. Length 77ft (23.45m) to be a success as a military transport
Top speed 196mph (315kph) Top speed 225mph (360kph) craft, but was better suited to
Engine Two 1,200hp (895kW) Pratt Flaps extended the full Engine Four 1,200hp (895kW) maritime reconnaissance and for
attacking shipping. A total of 276
& Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp radials length of the wings BMW 323R radials
were built, most of which were
lost during the war.
Cockpit had space for
pilot and observer

Large rudder for
maneuverability

Entire aircraft weighed
just 2,800lb (1,270kg)

▲ FIESELER FI.156 STORCH ▶ WESTLAND LYSANDER
Launched 1937 Origin Germany Launched 1938 Origin UK
Wingspan 46¾ft (14.3m) Wingspan 50ft (15.25m)
Length 32 ⁄2ft (9.9m) Length 30 ⁄2ft (9.3m) Rear cockpit could accommodate
1
1
Top speed 110mph (175kph) Top speed 211mph (340kph) three passengers
Engine 240hp (177kW) Argus As 10 V8 Engine 870hp (649kW) Bristol
Mercury XX radial
The Storch (Stork) was designed as an army
liaison aircraft. Unusually for a land-based The Lysander was used for World War II
aircraft, it had wings that could be folded army operations, perhaps most famously
back along its fuselage. Its approach speed by the British Royal Air Force’s 138
was so low that in a headwind it appeared (Special Duties) and 161 Squadrons,
to land almost vertically. which employed it to insert and recover
agents in enemy-occupied territory. A
total of 1,786 were built, all of which were
withdrawn from service at the war’s end. Wheel “spats” could each
accommodate a machine-gun