Junkers Ju 52/3m engine mounting angle

[GrahamB]

Hi Paul,

thanks for the two photos! I can't say that they really help - the one from the rear of the nacelle could be interpreted the other way: the corrugations are parallel to the line of flight (fact) while the nacelle is slightly canted outwards (fact), probably at the 6 degrees to make the front end parallel to the wing leading edge (6 degrees backsweep) - the cowling is similar but not identical to the German BMW versions and to my currently biased mind appears aligned in with the line of flight. Perhaps its asymmetry leads to the misperception and is what got me interested in this aspect anyway.

The second photo merely shows what would be expected if photo is taken ahead of the outer cowling - note apparent angle of the undercarriage. Maybe the slight angle involved (6 degrees) is just not resolvable with this photographic material. I wish I could transport myself to an authentic Ju 52, with original engine mounting - perhaps it was capable of being adjusted according to trim requirements of the individual aircraft?

There are many more issues to do with the Ju 52's morphology (engine intakes/exhausts/de-icing systems particularly - many variations and combinations) that have been poorly dealt with in the literature, although the beautiful illustrations in Classic's Transporter volumes are almost (not quite) spot on.

Cheers

Graham