The Ju 252 had nothing in common with the Ju 52 except its trimotor configuration. It is actually similar to the Curtiss Commando, having been designed to carry 35 passengers in a pressurized cabin. As a military transport it got a rear loading ramp which could tilt the aircraft floor level with the ground. The type's first flight occurred on 5 June 1942 according to German sources. Only 15 Ju 252s were built while the design was reworked as the Ju 352, built largely of non-strategic materials with lesser engines.