OJ-2

The Berliner‑Joyce OJ‑2 was a twin‑engine transport aircraft developed in the early 1930s by the German‑American firm Berliner‑Joyce. Conceived as a replacement for the ageing single‑engine biplanes that dominated regional service, the OJ‑2 made its first flight on 12 March 1934 and entered production later that year. Its all‑metal low‑wing monoplane layout incorporated a semi‑monocoque fuselage, fully retractable undercarriage, and a pioneering pressurised cabin that allowed comfortable operation at altitudes up to 8,500 ft. Powered by two 750‑hp radial engines driving three‑bladed propellers, the OJ‑2 could carry twelve passengers or a mixed load of freight and mail over a range of 1,200 km at a cruising speed of 310 km/h.

During the late 1930s the type became the workhorse of several European charter airlines and was later requisitioned by the Luftwaffe for liaison and light transport duties during World War II. Its reliable systems, easy maintenance, and adaptable interior set a new standard for short‑haul airliners and inspired later designs such as the post‑war Berliner‑Joyce B‑300 series. The OJ‑2 is remembered today as a milestone that helped transition commercial aviation from fragile biplanes to robust, pressurised monoplanes.