Junkers Ju 52: A History: 1933-1945

A very good book - covering all versions Ju52 up to the end of WW2. Always been interested in the floatplane, which I remember Airfix used to have the option in their old 1/72 model.A couple of downsides, which will not effect my 5 stars, one is the full price of £60 - which may be realistic considering I may have paid £20+ in 1980's, hint please reprint some of your early issues - perhaps in paperback - He177 / He162 / Hs129?The other minor issue is on the colour profiles, the highlighting, to me, gave the impression of a slight 'hump' behind the cockpit.

After seeing a Ju52 appearing in the opening sequence (and closing sequence) of the 1968 Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood movie “Where Eagles Dare”, I thought that these distinctive aircraft were fascinating.Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and Article 198 prohibited Germany from having an air force. However, Luftwaffe was reformed on 26 February 1935. Thus, the development of certain aircraft in the period leading to 1935 saw aircraft initially designed for civilian use. The “Ju52 variant”- transport made its maiden flight in April 1931, and few years later, a heavy bomber version appeared. The latter aircraft formed the heart of the Luftwaffe's infant bomber force in the mid-1930s, and it was used during the Spanish Civil War, and the infamous bombing of the city of Guernica (Spain).However, Ju52 was outmoded as a bomber by 1939, but because of its resilience, easiness of design and management characteristics, it continued to assist throughout World War II as a useful mainstay of the German transport fleet. For a period, Adolf Hitler used a Ju52 as his private conveyance. Ju52s transported the attacking forces and their provisions during the German invasion of Norway, Denmark, France and the Low Countries in 1940. In Holland, no fewer than 295 Ju52s were lost in that endeavour. In other places in the country, due to varying circumstances, accurate and effective Dutch anti-aircraft defences and German blunders in using waterlogged airfields – which were not able to support the heavy craft. Some 500 Ju52s partook in the historic airborne assault on the island of Crete in May 1941, and Junkers later supplied Rommel's armoured forces in North Africa.For me a very interesting aircraft that fulfilled many roles that it was applied to, however, it was probably outdated by the mid war period due to its poor defence and amour. Once control of airspace shifted from the Axis, powers to the Allies these aircraft were redundant.This excellent edition on the Ju52, a book that traces the development and operational history, /it contains a good range of pictorials. A great reference and guide for modellers, and hence highly recommended.

Excellent book on an unsung hero of the WW2 Luftwaffe. Not to be missed.

Perhaps not a star but a solid workhorse .For me a god work on this aircraft , no complaints at all.

One of the best written books I have seen on the Ju 52. It covers all aspects of the aircraft's development and service career, together with a wide range of photograph's. Excellent for modellers, highly recommended.

Tip top books with a good point of view for a modeller.

Great Item half the price of the shops

Excellent, full of detailed inormation and historical background.