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| Junkers J 1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| The Junkers J.1 Blechesel | |
| Role | experimental/Pioneer aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Junkers & Co |
| First flight | 12 December 1915 |
| Retired | 1916 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Luftstreitkräfte |
| Produced | 1915 |
| Number built | 1 |
The Junkers J 1, nicknamed the Blechesel (Tin Donkey or Sheet Metal Donkey), was an experimental monoplane aircraft developed by Junkers. It was the first all-metal aircraft in the world. Manufactured early in the First World War, an era in which aircraft designers relied largely on fabric-covered wooden structures braced with wires, the J 1 was a revolutionary development in aircraft design, making extensive use of metal in its structure and in its outer surface.
The J 1 originated from the work of pioneering aeronautical designer Hugo Junkers. The experimental aircraft never received an "A" or "E-series" monoplane designation from IdFlieg, the Army inspectorate of military aircraft and The Imperial German Air Service (Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches). The aircraft was known only by its Junkers factory model number of J 1 and should not be confused with the later, armoured all-metal Junkers J 4 sesquiplane, accepted by the later Luftstreitkräfte as the Junkers J.I (using a Roman numeral), from the category of armored combat aircraft established by IdFlieg.
On 12 December 1915, the aircraft made its brief maiden flight, flown by Leutnant Theodor Mallinckrodt of Flieger-Ersatz-Abteilung 1 (FEA 1), during which an altitude of almost 3 m (9.8 ft) was reached. Greater altitudes and performance were achieved during subsequent flights. By the end of January 1916, Junkers had been given a contract to further develop his all-metal concept and the later Junkers J 2 single-seat fighter, which would never see front line service, followed the J 1. It is believed that the Junkers J 1 was not flown again after January 1916. In 1926, it was placed on static display at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. In December 1944, the J 1 was destroyed during an Allied bombing raid on the city.