Long distance flights with the Junkers A50, updated 12.05.2025
Junkers A50
The 1929 Challenge International de Tourisme, held from the 7th to 20th August 1929, featured a 6,042 km course that started and ended in Paris. Among the participants were pilots flying the Junkers A50 aircraft:
- Franz Kneer piloted the D4 A50be D-1682
- Ernst van Vloten flew the D5 A50be D-1683
- Johann Risztics piloted the D7 A50be D-1681
These aviators showcased the performance and reliability of the Junkers A50 during the competition.
Ville Leppänen’s demonstration flight to Petsamo, Finland, began on March 14, 1930, departing from Dessau, Germany, and concluded on April 27, 1930, with a landing in Helsinki.
The Rheinland Liberation Flight in Cologne on the weekend of July 4th and 5th, 1930, where at least one Junkers A50 from the Luftfahrtverein Aachen with the registration
D-1868 participated. With kind permission of www.koelner-luftfahrt.de.
The 1930 Challenge International de Tourisme, held from July 18 to August 7, featured a demanding 7,560 km course that started and ended in Berlin. Among the participants were pilots flying the Junkers A50 aircraft:
- Waldemar Roeder piloted the A8 A50ce D-1862
- Johann Risztics flew the A9 A50ce D-1864
- Alfred Gothe commanded the E2 A50ci D-1863
These aviators showcased the capabilities and reliability of the Junkers A50 during the competition.
References
I referenced the following books and magazines in my possession:
"Kiek in die Welt" by Marga von Etzdorf
"Junkers Nachrichten No. 4/5 1930"
"Junkers Nachrichten No. 1 1931"
"Four Continents by Sport Plane" by Wäinö Bremer.
"Die Junkers-Lehrschau, Eine Führung durch die Lehrschau der Junkers Flugzeug- und -Motorenwerke A.-G.. Dessau"
"Elegance and Versatility - Junkers Light Aircraft K16 to A50 Junior"
Further references:
With sincere appreciation, I acknowledge the generous permission granted by Günter Frost for the use of information and illustrations from the ‘Challenge International Avions de Tourisme 1929 and 1930’, which has significantly contributed to this work.
Also, my gratitude to the provided information send to me from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. UDAR-HAZY center, Archive Department