Bücker Jungmann Bü 131

The 1919 Treaty of Versailles prohibited Germany from military rearmament following World War 1. This included most aircraft development. As a work around, many German companies allied themselves with or invested in foreign manufacturers. Heinkel invested in Sweden’s SAAB and installed ex-Navy pilot Carl Bücker to manage the design and construction of aircraft. By the early 1930’s restrictions on Germany were loosened, encouraging industrial development at home. Seeing potential, Bücker left both SAAB and Heinkel, returned home in 1933 and formed Bücker Flugzeugbau GmbH with Swedish designer Anders Andersson.

Within six months, Andersson had created a new, two-place aircraft trainer prototype, the Bü 131A “Jungmann”. This design checked all the boxes of the DLV (Deutscher Luftsport Verband) a ‘civilian’ aviation training association that would shortly mature into the modern Luftwaffe. The Jungmann would prove to be docile, nimble and easy to fly. It was fully aerobatic, could withstand rough treatment and was simple to mass produce. It was officially adopted in 1936. Word of its performance attracted demand for export or licensing by Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Japan, Hungary, Spain and more. In Spain alone, the Jungmann remained an Air Force primary trainer for well over 50 years from 1936 – 1988. In 1935, Bücker introduced a single-seat version, the Jungmeister Bü 133. It was powered by a radial engine, was fully aerobatic and served in a variety of air forces. In the 1960’s and 70’s, the Bücker brand dominated in many aerobatic championships worldwide.

Our 1954 Bücker Jungmann (Young Man) 1041Y, is one of 550 built under license by Spain’s C.A.S.A. sporting a 125 or 150hp ENMA Tigre four-cylinder engine. It served 20 years as a primary trainer for the Spanish Air Force before being imported to the U.S. in the 1970’s. Here, the engine was replaced with a 160hp Lycoming 0-320. It was restored in 1990 and passed through many owners before being acquired by Aerodrome trustee/pilot, Dr. Dave Trost in the Spring of 2023. It is a regular performer in our weekend airshows. It may well be the finest handling aircraft in the collection.

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