Long distance flights with the Junkers A50, updated 09.09.2024

Flying > The dream

under construction .....

I referenced the book Kiek in die Welt by Marga von Etzdorf, Junkers Nachrichten No. 4/5 (1930) with the travel report by Mr. Yoshihara, and images from Mr. Bremer's travels, as shared on the Facebook page 'Junkers A50 Junior' by the Finnish Aviation Museum. The book "Sportplan över fyra världsdelar" will arive soon.

Bremers flight to Capetown 1931

Wäinö Bremer (1899–1964) was a pioneering Finnish aviator known for his record-setting flights and contributions to Finnish aviation. Born in Viborg, Finland, Bremer gained fame in the 1930s for his long-distance flights, most notably flying from Helsinki to Cape Town and back in 1932. His adventurous spirit was also evident when he flew solo around the world in 1933, demonstrating remarkable skill and endurance.

In addition to being a skilled pilot, Bremer was a Finnish Air Force officer and an avid promoter of aviation. His achievements helped inspire a new generation of Finnish pilots, contributing significantly to the development of aviation in Finland. He later became involved in various aviation-related businesses and organizations until his passing in 1964.

Bremers world tour.

Wäinö Bremer transported his Junkers A50 by ship during his world tour in 1931-1932. For the Pacific crossing from Tokyo to San Francisco, he used the SS President Madison, an American ocean liner. For the Atlantic leg, from New York to Bremerhaven, he utilized the SS Bremen, a German ocean liner.

Bremers Europa flight

Margo von Etzdorf, Europe flight 1930

Marga von Etzdorf (1907–1933) was a pioneering German aviator and one of the first women to work as a commercial pilot. Born in Hannover, she developed an early passion for flying and became the first woman to fly for Deutsche Luft Hansa (now Lufthansa). In 1927, at the age of 20, she earned her pilot’s license, quickly making a name for herself with solo long-distance flights.

Von Etzdorf gained fame in 1931 by flying solo from Germany to Tokyo in a Junkers A50, a remarkable achievement for any pilot at the time. Unfortunately, her life and career were cut short in 1933 when she tragically died by suicide during an attempted flight to Syria after facing technical difficulties and a forced landing.