BÜCKER JUNGMEISTER

Jeff Pearson's majestic half-scale classic aerobat is no spring chicken...

- Alex Whittaker

The Bücker Jungmeister is one of the classic aerobatic aircraft. It came from the drawing board of Carl Bücker, one of the all-time greats of aeroplane design. The Jungmeister's fabric and steel tube construction was sturdy and delivered excellent aerial performance. It is a characterful, chunky, barrel-chested, close-coupled little aerobatic biplane. In its day it was a revelation. The Bü 133 was a direct descendent of the successful and equally famous in-line engined Bü 131 Bucker Jungmann. The Bü 133 first flew in 1935 and in all-around 250 were built.

Originally it was fitted with a Wirth HM508 power plant. This was quickly dropped in favour of the classic 160hp Siemens Bramo Sh 14A radial engine. Despite possessing astonishing aerobatic ability early sales were poor. However, after its engine upgrade and winning a series of aerobatic contests, the Luftwaffe adopted the Bü 133. By 1938 it was the Luftwaffe's standard trainer. Nazi Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring even ordered a nine-man Luftwaffe Aerobatic Term to be formed. In fact, such was the success of its design the Bü 133 remained competitive well into the 1960s - long after the demise of the Thousand-Year Reich. Although Spain built about 50 examples under licence it is a little-known fact of military aviation history that the Swiss Air Force also operated Jungmeisters. These stayed in service until as late as 1968.

THE MODEL

Liverpool and District Model Aircraft Club member, Jeff Pearson is well known for his all-round modelling ability, as well as his interest in larger models. His Jungmeister is over three metres in span (120”), weighs 25kgs and is powered by a 3W 140 petrol flat twin.