Bü 131 Jungmann
Bücker · Germany · first flew 1934 · light aircraft
The Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann was the Luftwaffe's standard primary trainer and is still prized today as one of the sweetest-handling biplanes ever made.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Tandem open cockpits in a slim, round-topped fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small, dainty biplane with both wings noticeably swept back
- Tandem open cockpits in a slim, round-topped fuselage
- Exceptionally light and aerobatic, often seen looping at fly-ins
The strong sweepback on both wings of such a tiny biplane is the key identifier. The airframe looks delicate, with a narrow fuselage, tandem open cockpits and cross-axle undercarriage. In the air its crisp, floating aerobatics single it out from heavier trainers.
Specifications
- The Bü 131 Jungmann has a length of 6.62 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.4 m (24 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 183 km/h (114 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Carl Bücker's little trainer first flew in April 1934 and taught a generation of German pilots to fly before and during WWII. Its delightful, precise handling made it a natural aerobat and it was licence-built across Europe and in Japan. The single-seat Bü 133 Jungmeister developed from it dominated pre-war aerobatic competition.
Variants
The Bü 131A with the Hirth HM 60 gave way to the more powerful Bü 131B with the HM 504. Licence production included the Swiss Dornier-built machines, Spanish CASA 1.131s and Czech Tatra T-131s; many surviving 'Jungmanns' are post-war CASA airframes with ENMA Tigre engines.
Where you'll see it
Dozens of Jungmanns fly privately in Britain, mostly Spanish-built CASA 1.131s, and they are regulars at Old Warden and vintage aerobatic events. The type has a devoted UK following for its featherlight controls. Others fly worldwide, with originals in Swiss and German museum collections.
Related aircraft
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