Aircraft making trans-Atlantic journey for North American tour-EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, WI - A rare Junkers JU 52 tri-motor will be a main attraction along the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 flight line as part of the airplane's North American tour.
The airplane's visit is sponsored by RIMOWA, the German-based company that is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of high-quality luggage and is partnering with EAA at Oshkosh for the first time. EAA AirVenture 2012, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," is July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport.
The Junkers JU 52 was designed by the legendary Hugo Junkers and first appeared in May 1932. Within six years, the model was flying 75 percent of all German air passenger flights. The tri-motor configuration supplied a high standard of comfort and reliability, even during flights over the Alps. It remained an important part of European aviation for more than three decades.
"We are proud to be one of the stops of the RIMOWA JU 52 tour and know there is no place where the airplane will be more appreciated than in front of the world's aviators gathered at Oshkosh," said Jim DiMatteo, EAA's vice president of AirVenture features and attractions."The airplane will certainly be a draw along the flight line and we thank RIMOWA for partnering with EAA for the first time to make this historic visit possible."
The RIMOWA Junkers JU 52 tri-motor, with EAA's Jeff Kaufman, after the April 19 announcement in Germany that AirVenture would be included on the airplane's North American tour. (photo by Marino Boric)
The aircraft appearing at AirVenture was built in Dessau, Germany, in 1939. At that time it was directly transferred to Switzerland where is has been used for sightseeing flights since 1982. On April 19, 2012, RIMOWA announced that the airplane would be making its first North American tour, including a trans-Atlantic flight that will bring it to selected cities in the U.S. and Canada.
"To be part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh with the RIMOWA JU 52 is simply fantastic!" said Dieter Morszeck, the CEO of RIMOWA and grandson of the company's founder. "The stop at the world's largest aviation gathering in Oshkosh is definitely one of the highlights of our North American tour and we are really looking forward to it!"
The JU 52 will be at Oshkosh throughout the week and be parked on AirVenture's showcase ramp. It will be open for tours while on display and will also be featured during the afternoon flight demonstrations that are a traditional part of AirVenture week.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh- EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" and EAA's yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at EAA AirVenture.