The pioneering Junkers F13 was designed in 1919 by German aviation entrepreneur and businessman Hugo Junkers. In the era of fabric-and-wood biplanes and triplanes, it was the first all-metal transport aircraft.
The Junkers F13 —
The pioneering Junkers F13 was designed in 1919 by German aviation entrepreneur and businessman Hugo Junkers. In the era of fabric-and-wood biplanes and triplanes, it was the first all-metal transport aircraft.
Courtesy RIMOWA
Luggagemakers RIMOWA and airline Ju-Air have teamed up to build a brand new Junkers F13, which will take its maiden flight in March 2016.
Soon to fly again —
Luggagemakers RIMOWA and airline Ju-Air have teamed up to build a brand new Junkers F13, which will take its maiden flight in March 2016.
Courtesy RIMOWA
There are only five F13 aircraft in museums around the world, none of them airworthy. So the new F13 is an exact replica built from scratch, using old blueprints. <br />
Using original blueprints —
There are only five F13 aircraft in museums around the world, none of them airworthy. So the new F13 is an exact replica built from scratch, using old blueprints.
Courtesy RIMOWA
The last commercial F13 retired in Brazil in 1951, ending a significant chapter in the world of aviation development. Here are 10 more planes which, for better or worse, have been retired.
Retired in 1951 —
The last commercial F13 retired in Brazil in 1951, ending a significant chapter in the world of aviation development. Here are 10 more planes which, for better or worse, have been retired.
Courtesy RIMOWA
Dan Hagedorn, curator of Seattle's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.museumofflight.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Museum of Flight</a>, points to the now-defunct Lockheed M-21 Blackbird as one of history's greatest flying machines. The spy plane built to support a CIA program in 1963. It was a precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird, which Hagedorn describes as "the fastest, highest-flying piloted jet in history."
1. Lockheed M-21 Blackbird —
Dan Hagedorn, curator of Seattle's Museum of Flight, points to the now-defunct Lockheed M-21 Blackbird as one of history's greatest flying machines. The spy plane built to support a CIA program in 1963. It was a precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird, which Hagedorn describes as "the fastest, highest-flying piloted jet in history."
Museum of Flight, Seattle
The DC-10 took its last flight in 2014, 43 years after it first flew in 1971. The American-made "trijet" was famous for having three engines and is credited with launching modern, long haul air travel, and the long-haul flight, as we know it today.
2. DC-10 —
The DC-10 took its last flight in 2014, 43 years after it first flew in 1971. The American-made "trijet" was famous for having three engines and is credited with launching modern, long haul air travel, and the long-haul flight, as we know it today.
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Known as the "Flying Pancake," the Vought V-173 was designed during World War II to take off on short runways.
3. Vought V-173 —
Known as the "Flying Pancake," the Vought V-173 was designed during World War II to take off on short runways.
Jay Miller, Frontiers of Flight Museum
The H-4 Hercules, or Spruce Goose was a massive sea plane designed and built by American industrialist, aviator, and film producer Howard Hughes in 1947.
4. Hughes H-4 Hercules —
The H-4 Hercules, or Spruce Goose was a massive sea plane designed and built by American industrialist, aviator, and film producer Howard Hughes in 1947.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pimaair.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Pima Air & Space Museum</a> in Tuscon, Arizona, displays a Fairchild C-82 Packet, a twin-engined cargo aircraft used briefly by the United States Air Force following World War II.
5. Fairchild C-82 Packet —
Pima Air & Space Museum in Tuscon, Arizona, displays a Fairchild C-82 Packet, a twin-engined cargo aircraft used briefly by the United States Air Force following World War II.
Courtesy Pima Air & Space Museum
Believe it or not, flying cars have been in existence since the 40s. The Convair Model 118 made a test flight in 1947. Alas, the hybrid vehicle never went into production after its one-hour demonstration flight, in which it had a crash landing due to low fuel, destroying the car body.
6. Convair Model 118 —
Believe it or not, flying cars have been in existence since the 40s. The Convair Model 118 made a test flight in 1947. Alas, the hybrid vehicle never went into production after its one-hour demonstration flight, in which it had a crash landing due to low fuel, destroying the car body.
FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
In 1968, several Taylor Aerocar III's were built, though Hagedorn says they never really took off in the public eye. "They were cumbersome and a little bit underpowered," he admits.
7. Taylor Aerocar III —
In 1968, several Taylor Aerocar III's were built, though Hagedorn says they never really took off in the public eye. "They were cumbersome and a little bit underpowered," he admits.
Museum of Flight, Seattle
A Church Army canteen worker is seen here handing a cup of tea to the pilot of a Sikorsky R-4 helicopter hovering overhead at an RAF Helicopter School in Andover, England, in 1945. Though not an airplane, the R-4 was the world's first mass-produced helicopter.
8. Sikorsky R-4 —
A Church Army canteen worker is seen here handing a cup of tea to the pilot of a Sikorsky R-4 helicopter hovering overhead at an RAF Helicopter School in Andover, England, in 1945. Though not an airplane, the R-4 was the world's first mass-produced helicopter.
Fox Photos/Getty Images
The Douglas DC-2 was, according to Hagedorn, "one of the most loved (planes) with the Royal Air Force." The Museum of Flight displays the last air-worthy model of the DC-2.
9. DC-2 —
The Douglas DC-2 was, according to Hagedorn, "one of the most loved (planes) with the Royal Air Force." The Museum of Flight displays the last air-worthy model of the DC-2.
Museum of Flight
Of course, no list of retired planes would be complete without the Concorde. The supersonic plane made its final transatlantic flight in October, 2003. British Airways flight BA001 took three hours and twenty minutes to reach New York from London's Heathrow Airport. <br />
10. Concorde —
Of course, no list of retired planes would be complete without the Concorde. The supersonic plane made its final transatlantic flight in October, 2003. British Airways flight BA001 took three hours and twenty minutes to reach New York from London's Heathrow Airport.
JEFF CHRISTENSEN/AFP/Getty Images