RS Models - Aero C4 & C-104

RS Models - Aero C4 & C-104

- Colin 'Flying' Pickett

Due to the increased demand for suitable aircraft for pilot training in the Luftwaffe,the Buckner BU 131 Jungmann was produced in the Aero aircraft factory in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia during World War II as the Aero C-4, powered with the Hirth engine to a specification in line with those aircraft produced in Germany itself.

Following World War II the Czechoslovakian Air Force was in the market for a primary trainer, and opted to use the ex German design to fulfill this role, with the type being produced by the Aero factory as the C-104, powered by the Walter Minor 4-III engine. Both types were utilised for both civilian and military flight training for a good number of years, and several still fly in private ownership today.

This release of the RS Models kit actually contains two complete kits in one box, including a fret of etch for the instrument panel and other details such as the main rigging points. The plastic parts come on beige, finely engraved injection moulded sprues, and as they are limited run in nature have nothing in the way of locating pins.

The kit comes with six decal options and I opted for what were possibly the trickiest but most attractive choices from these. It is important to decide which of these you want to build at the start as you’ll need to select the correct optional parts from the sprues as there are obviously differences in the cowling to accommodate the different engine installations.