News
Rimowa’s “flying suitcase” takes Toronto
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| Aug. 17, 2012, Toronto - Looking to promote the iconic design of its
legendary luxury luggage products, Rimowa GmbH of Koln, Germany recently
sponsored the North American tour of a truly legendary aircraft. |
August 17, 2012 By Frederick K. Larkin
On June 18 “HB-HOT,” a 1939 Junkers Ju 52/3m operated by Ju-Air at Dubendorf, Switzerland, headed west from Leverkusen, Germany. After stopping at Norwich, England; Vagar, Faroe Islands; Reykjavik, Iceland and Kulusuk, Greenland, it reached North America at Iqaluit. It then proceeded to visit numerous U.S. locations, including Oshkosh, Wisc., Los Angeles, Denver and New York, before returning to Canada by August 6. Five days were spent at Kitchener (YKF) and Toronto (YTZ) before it began to retrace its routing back across the pond.
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The 73-year-old tri-motor is powered by its original BMW 132A radials that each provide 660HP. Of the approximately 3,300 Ju 52s built, “HOT” is only one of eight that remain airworthy. Its cabin features eight rows of two-abreast seating, plus a bench for two across the aft bulkhead. Its fuselage and wings are constructed of corrugated aluminum, giving it a rather unique look — not unlike that of Rimowa’s aluminum suitcases.
