Junkers CLS.I

The Junkers CLS.I, produced by the German firm Junkers & Co. in the early 1930s, was a pioneering low‑wing, all‑metal monoplane that represented a transition from wood‑frame biplanes to modern stressed‑skin construction. Developed from the earlier CL series, the CLS.I first flew on 12 March 1932 and entered limited service with the Luftwaffe as a close‑support and reconnaissance platform. Its most notable feature was the use of Junkers’ patented corrugated duralumin skin, which provided exceptional rigidity while keeping weight low. Powered by a 550 hp BMW VI V‑12 engine, the aircraft could reach a maximum speed of 285 km/h and carried a modest payload of two 7.7 mm machine guns plus four 20 kg bombs. The retractable under‑carriage and full‑span ailerons gave it maneuverability comparable to contemporary fighters, while the pilot’s enclosed cockpit improved endurance on long missions. Although only 68 units were built before production shifted to the more advanced Ju 87 Stuka, the CLS.I demonstrated the viability of all‑metal construction for combat aircraft and influenced later German dive‑bomber designs. Its legacy endures as a key step toward the high‑performance monoplanes that dominated World War II skies.

Junkers & Co.

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