Junkers G 31 (Transport plane)

The Junkers G 31 was an advanced tri-motor airliner designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Junkers. It would be the first airliner operated by Deutsche Luft Hansa to feature a flight attendant. Development of the G 31 took place during the mid 1920s, having been encouraged by the positive reception of the Junkers G 24, a more compact tri-motor airliner. It was decided to incorporate all-metal construction and an aerodynamically 'clean' configuration, features that were not yet in widespread use at that time. Ambitions to adopt retractable landing gear for the G 31 were abandoned in favour of a fixed arrangement as the additional weight incurred a performance penalty that did not justify the improved aerodynamics while retracted. A variety of engines were used as the intended primary powerplant, the Junkers L5, was deemed to be too low-powered.