Meet Iron Annie: the aircraft-inspired BMW R18

BMW have partnered with VTR Motorrad AG and VTR Customs in Schmerikon, Switzerland, to create a customized R18 inspired by the 1930s Junkers Ju 52, the legendary three-engine commercial and transport aircraft.

The old ‘Aunt Ju’ 52, with the aircraft registration D-AQUI in Lufthansa grey-black livery from 1936, became particularly well known worldwide. During its time in the USA from 1970 to 1984 she was christened ‘Iron Annie’, a name the R18 has also adopted.

The aeroplane’s design influence is visible in every aspect or the R18 and even include small details like the dial of the speedometer which has been integrated into the tank, reminiscent of old cockpit instruments.

Iron Annie also includes access panels with quick-release fasteners, as found on many aircraft and has been finished in the same colour scheme of grey and black.

Aside from cosmetic changes such as painting all the chrome parts black there have been a number of technical alterations.

The cockpit trim was pulled back as narrow and flat as possible to emphasise the streamlined shape. The fork has been shortened by 7cm and a height-adjustable Wilbers shock absorber adds to the crouched stance of the motorcycle.

Daniel Weidmann, owner and Managing Director of VTR Motorrad & VTR Customs, explains the changes the R18 underwent: “To make the bike look smaller and give it a more filigree appearance between the wheels, we had large 18 and 21 inch wheels made by Kine.”

He added: “One of the big challenges with the R18 Iron Annie was the replica cooling fins in the area of the rear silencers. Shaping these parts into parallel and beautiful radii and at the same time still fastening them harmoniously took a number of attempts.”

The fuel tank, the tail with the aforementioned fins, the side panels and the cockpit were hand-formed from aluminium sheet. Reminiscences of traditional metal aircraft construction are also provided by the numerous lens-head rivets.

“What almost pained us a little when we saw all the handmade, bright aluminium sheets shimmering and shining was that they would have to be painted. However, we are extremely satisfied with the result,” said Weidmann.