Bücker Bü 131 B Jungmann

First flown on 27 April 1934, it became the first product of the newly established Bücker Flugzeugbau company. The aircraft proved to be a very successful machine, characterised by small dimensions and excellent aerobatic qualities. From 1936, the Bü 131 B version was produced with a Hirth A2 engine. Thanks to its very good handling qualities, Bü 131 aircraft quickly found their way into flight schools and aerobatic training not only in Germany. Before the war, Jungmanns became the standard training machines of German flight schools.

These machines were exported to many countries and were also produced under licence in Spain, Japan, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia. In the years preceding the outbreak of World War II, Bü 131 aircraft participated in many international air events, such as the Round the Reef race in South Africa in 1938. A Jungmann aircraft also won 3rd place at the Aerobatics Championships held in 1938 in the Netherlands.

After World War II, for more than 25 years, Jungmann and Jungmeister aircraft remained among the most popular aerobatic machines in the world. Many of them had their engines replaced – instead of the factory-fitted Hirth engines, more modern and powerful Lycoming engines were installed. Aircraft with these engines were assembled in Switzerland under the designation Bü R-170. Many Jungmanns still fly to this day. The last few examples were built in Germany as late as 1969.

In pre-war Poland, 2 aircraft of this type were registered. Two others, of German origin, were operated after the war. The Bielsko-based company Serwis Samolotow Historycznych currently produces Bü 131 Jungmann aircraft – these are not replicas but machines built under licence. Changes compared to the pre-war design include the use of more modern materials and different engines. The aircraft enjoy great popularity and the company has production orders for several years ahead.