Aircraft History
Built by Junkers at Merseburg, Germany.

Delivered to Lufthansa during December 1941, with registration D-AVIU, named 'Th. Schöpwinkel'.

Next, to AERO O/Y with registration OH-LAM. During February 1942 was named 'Karjala'. Damaged on the ground due to a collision at Malmo, Sweden on June 7, 1943, and was impounded on the ground there until the end of the war.

Postwar, this aircraft was registered as SE-BUE. Next, assigned to PRIV: Ahrensberg during November 1951.

One of three Ju-52's purchased by Bobby Gibbes from Sweeden in May 1955: this aircraft, Ju-52 SE-BUD and Ju-52 SE-AYB.

Flown to New Guinea. Registered as VH-BUU in September 1955. and operated with Sepik Airways, during the 1950's. Next, owned by Mandated Airlines (MAL) and registered VH-GSH.

Crashed at Baiyer River Airfield on October 17, 1959.

Wreckage
The radio, instruments and Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines were salvaged, but the rest of the plane was abandoned at the airfield. Condition today is unknown.

Charles Darby adds:
"I still have quite a lot of the placards and other little pieces from the Ju-52 that I recovered at the time, as I was told the aircraft was about to be junked."

Bruce Hoy adds:
"Wreckage remained for some time until chopped up and parts used to stabilize an earthen dam."

References
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks cover photo, page 59 (middle, left)
Sepik Pilot mentions this aircraft
Thanks to Bruce Hoy and Ray Fairfield for additional information

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Last Updated
March 5, 2013