Weserflug We 271

The Weserflug We 271 was a German twin‑engine transport aircraft developed in the late 1930s by Weser Flugzeugbau, a subsidiary of the Weserflug company. Conceived as a replacement for the aging Junkers Ju 52, the We 271 first flew on 12 March 1939 and entered limited production before the outbreak of World War II halted further orders. The airframe featured a low‑wing monoplane design with all‑metal construction, a retractable tailwheel undercarriage, and a spacious cargo bay accessed via large side doors and a rear ramp, allowing rapid loading of troops, equipment, and paratroopers. Powered by two BMW 132 radial engines delivering 850 hp each, the aircraft could cruise at 275 km/h and achieve a range of 1 200 km with a payload of up to 2 800 kg. Although only a handful were built, the We 271 demonstrated innovative cargo‑handling concepts that later influenced post‑war transport designs such as the French Nord Noratlas and the German Focke‑Wulf Fw 187. Its brief operational history, primarily in Luftwaffe transport and supply missions on the Eastern Front, underscored the strategic importance of versatile, medium‑capacity airlifters in modern warfare.