Junkers F13 flying over Munich

The Junkers F13 is considered the forefather of all passenger aircraft. This aircraft from Dessau was the world’s first all-metal passenger airplane and laid the foundation for commercial air travel in the 1920s. However, it never achieved the fame of its larger, three-engine successor, the Junkers Ju-52/3m. “Aunty Ju” replaced the F13 from the mid-1930s onward and the single-engine type lost importance and finally disappeared completely. Today, only very few static examples remain in museums around the world. But fortunately, some enthusiasts were still aware of the F13 and today, the aviation world again has three airworthy F13s flying!

… the type achieved an impressive altitude world-record (in 1919), climbing to 6750m in 86 minutes …

On June 25, 1919, the first F13 took off from Dessau for its maiden flight. This first test flight with Junkers test pilot Emil Monz at the controls lasted just six minutes, but two more flights were to follow on the same day. The take-off weight was increased from 1151kg to 1518, and in September the type achieved an impressive altitude world-record, climbing to 6750m in 86 minutes with 8 persons on board. Over the years, countless other versions of the Junkers F13 were build and used around the world. They were given new, more powerful engines or were equipped with floats so that they could also be used as seaplanes.

The latest version is now the “Rimowa F13”, as can be found on the type plate of the three replicas (or new builds). This small series has been produced since around 2010 at Kaelin Aero in southern Germany, and final assembly took place in Dübendorf in Switzerland. The first flight took also place there on September 15, 2016. The manufacturer is now “Rimowa Flugzeugwerke AG”, which was founded specifically for this purpose. It is owned by Dieter Morszeck, the former owner of the suitcase brand of the same name. And it is for sure no coincidence that the shape of their suitcase and the one of the Junkers aircraft resemble each other.

Sightseeing flights in the F13

Sightseeing flights in these newly-build aircraft have been possible since 2022. The modern and spacious cabin offers seats for four passengers, who can even watch the pilots at work in the open two-man cockpit through a viewing window at the front. The cockpit is still designed as an open cockpit. This nostalgic feature results from the 1920s thinking that the pilots would loose their feel for the aircraft and flying in general when sitting in a closed cockpit. Today however, it is more fun or challenge for them, depending on the weather conditions…

At the beginning of September 2024, the three Rimowa F13s were guests at the Oberschleißheim airfield near Munich, where they were also regularly seen around 100 years ago. There they met the Udet U 12 Flamingo of the Messerschmitt Foundation, which calls the Oberschleißheim Museum its home. The sight of these four historic machines in front of the Flugwerft building was a leap back to the 1920s, and for me a very welcome opportunity to accompany the machines in the air with the camera during the flights over Oberschleissheim and the Bavarian capital Munich.

Thanks to all supporters and co-organizers who made this possible!

Junkers / Rimowa F13 Sightseing Flight – Photo Gallery

For more information about this aircraft and upcoming sightseeing flight oppurtunities visit: https://www.junkers-luftverkehr.com