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HISTORY

T

he Junkers D.I (factory

designation J 9) was

a monoplane ighter

aircraft produced in Germany

late in World War I, and was

signiicant for becoming the

irst all-metal ighter to enter

service. The prototype, a private

venture by Junkers designated

the J 7, irst lew on 17 September

1917, going through nearly a

half-dozen detail changes in

its design during its tests.

When it was demonstrated to

the Idlieg the following year it

proved impressive enough to result

in an order for three additional

aircraft for trials. However, the

changes made by Junkers were

signiicant enough for the irm to

redesignate the next example the J

9, which was supplied to the Idlieg

instead of the three J 7s ordered.

The speed and climb

performance were excellent,

and although it was felt that

it lacked manoeuvrability and

downward visibility for a front-

line ighter, it was judged it

at least for a naval ighter, and

a batch of 12 was ordered.

At least four of these Junkers

D.1s were dispatched to the front on

2 October 1918. How much action

JUNKED

Junkers

PART

ONE

Wingnut Wings 1/32 Junkers D.1 by Guy Goodwin

20 • DECEMBER 2018 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL

BY SACCO DE VRIES

JUNKERS D.

BY GUY GOODWIN

1/