With Appologies to Lewis Carol and RAF Wittering
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'And your paintwork is no longer bright,
Yet I see that you constantly stagger aloft,
Do you think at your age that it’s right?’
‘Yes I’m old,’ smiled the Jungmann, ‘As you observe
Yet you’re missing the pertinent thought,
Were it not for its age no antique would deserve
All the money for which it is bought.’
‘But you’re old AND outdated,’ The young man frowned,
‘And your instruments ancient and plain
Tell me, how can you navigate so close to the ground
Without using a digital brain?’
‘In my youth,’ yawned the Jungmann,
‘Pilots could fly Using stopwatch and compass and map.
And I’m teaching them still to be Kings of the Sky,
Now be off…while I’m taking a nap.’
A little more Bücker History
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This is a Bü131 D2 serial number 6112 GD + ON based at Marienbad with FFS A/B 63 in late 1941
What does this mean? FFS A/B means primary flying school with A and B levels of achievement.
During the latter half of 1941, the need for pilots had increased due to the expansion of the war and the need to replace losses. Flight training was shortened to fill this need.
A young perspective pilot joining the Luftwaffe was first sent to a Fligerersatzabieilung (training depot) for six months. This was the equivalent of today’s “boot camp” with emphasis on drill and physical training. They did not receive much aviation training other than elementary lectures on the principles of wireless and map reading. Having completed this training, the student pilot moved to a Flugwarterkompanie where he learned general aeronautical subjects. Usually, this took two months. Finally, he moved to an A/B Schule (elementary flying school) where he flew the Jungmann as pictured above.
For his A license, he received instruction in aerodynamics, aeronautical engineering, navigation, meteorology, flying procedures and morse code. This stage included the pupil’s first solo flight.
For his B license, his days of flying the Jungmann were over. The student moved on to higher performance aircraft like the Amado 66, Gotha 145 or Arado 76 among others. At the completion of his B training, the student has between 100 - 150 hours flying time and received his Luftwaffenflugzeugfuehrschein (pilot’s license). On his tunic was pinned a Flugzeugfueherabzeichen (pilot’s wings).
After this, the student was selected for single engine fighter or bomber training.
This picture is a Bü131 D2 Jungmann KE + KV
Depending on when this picture was taken, and given the fact that the pictures were grouped together, I believe both airplanes were based with FFA A/B 63 in the fall of 1941. This picture could have been taken at Marienbad, but may have been taken at one of the three other satellite airfields associated with this unit - Karlsbad, Vilsec or Amberg-Schafhausen.
Apparently, KE + KV stayed with A/B 63 until March, 1943 when it was transferred to A/B 124 located in Metz-Frescady (with satellite airfields in Diedenhofen, Sandweiler and Thionville). Also at this time, A/B 43 was also merged into this training location.
We do not know either of these Jungmann’s fates, but KE + KV was still listed on A/B 43’s roster in May, 1944. By December 1944, this training unit switched to Bü 181 Bestmanns.
I like seeing the Jungmanns in happier times, with proud smiling Luftwaffe pilots learning to fly. By 1945, GD + ON and KE + VKV they were undoubtedly destroyed with the rest of the remaining Luftwaffe aircraft.
LOM engines and unleaded fuel
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The EN228 petrol standard, which is approved for the engine, allows bio-based components. However, in the US, bio-based gasoline may have a different chemical composition than in the EU (it is a different standard), and such gasoline has never been tested here.
Unfortunately, bio-ingredients are highly variable in composition (they can be of different origins), are volatile (they separate) and bind water (shelf life).In general, therefore, we recommend that you ideally use gasoline without bio-ingredients (Ethanol) for your engine - but such gasoline may no longer be available in some countries.
Warning note: Just because an engine is approved for automobile gasoline according to EN228 does not mean that the whole aircraft is approved for it (this is up to the aircraft manufacturer, as there may arise problems unrelated to the engine - e.g. rubber parts/hoses of the airframe). Do you know what kind of gasoline this plane flew on in Germany? Automobile in Germany (EU) can also contain bio-ingredients (Ethanol / or other alcohol).
There will be a bulletin coming out soon approving UL91 and UL94 gasoline for our engines according to ASTM D7547 We consider these gasolines to be a better alternative than automobile gasoline with bio-ingredients.
With best regardsJan Tomsa - Sales manager
For what it is worth (probably not much) I have been running 87 octane unleaded car fuel (with and without ethanol) in my LOM Jungmann for twelve years without the slightest problem. Taking advice from those who know far more about this stuff than me I typically use about one tank of 100LL aviation fuel for every two or three tanks of 87 octane unleaded. The theory is that while 100LL has far too much lead for the engine (and the environment) 87 octane has too little. Using some of both supposedly works out about right.It is worth noting, however, that my fuel system is 100% metal with no rubber or plastic parts and I rarely, if ever fly above 3,500' MSL. The climate is mild.
Of course it doesn't hurt that where I live 87 octane fuel is currently +/- $2.75/gallon or €0.67/liter :)
Holiday greetings
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From Elisabeth and Albert Zeller
The end of the year is with us already. Once again I would like to thank all of the people who have contributed information and advice to this website. There will be a couple of new features to play with early in January so stay tuned.
On the way
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From Bavaria to the American Mid West
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OE-APY at a fly-in in Germany
and now flying over the Missouri river near St. Louis. Andrew King has started flying off the FAA phase 1 requirement and reports that APY flys "basically hands off."
If Andrew looks a little cold it is because it is November and he has been flying T 5000 feet!
Congratulations John. The aircraft is going to be a sensation in the Creve Coeur area next year :)
New Aviation TV channel
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Some Lovely Jungmeister Flying by David Martin
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The American Jungmeisters
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Known as "American Jungmeisters" or "Price Jungmeisters" each aircraft produced was different in some way from its siblings. They have flown with radial engines, four and six cylinder flat engines and even an Allison turbo prop. Although the Bu133 was a single seat aircraft of course, some aircraft were built with a second seat, or "jump seat" behind the pilot. That space could also be used for baggage or an extra fuel/smoke oil tank.
Ken Larsen's aircraft at the Frontiers of Flight museum, Dallas, TX
The control system and tailwheel were typically simplified, perhaps because the plans that were produced were a little short of details in some areas. I heard a story that in places the plans were simply annotated with phrases such as "Make this like a Luscombe" :)
Charlie Lamb's N72CL as flown by Frank Price at a fly-in in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. By that time
it had a 300 HP six cylinder Lycoming engine installed. The a/c is now owned and shown by
Jerry Wells.
Any way you look at it. these are interesting aircraft and an important part of Bücker history. I would like to learn as much as I can about them and record it here before the details are forgotten.
If you have any memories, stories or pictures of the Price Jungmeisters, would you please drop me an email? I look forward to being able to publish something in the near future.
John Nyquist with Ben Morphew and the Jungmeister John Built
Jerry Wells "American Jungmeister" display
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Andy Hoffman's LOM Jungmann
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A New CASA/Bücker Book
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A new Bücker Pilot
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Website Fixes
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Bückers & BBQ 2023
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Again this year, William and Cleve Cox have offered to host the event at Cox Field.
Hampton Inn North Myrtle Beach
2112 Little River Neck Rd
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Phone: (843) 249-1997
The airport identifier is N81. As you can see, Cox Field is plenty long and wide for Bucker operations.
The airfield is just about on the North/South Carolina border with Myrtle Beach being the nearest city.
CASA 1131 Jungmann for Sale
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For more information text Steve Hawley 520-237-3373
Nice video from La Ferté Alais
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Details of the collection can be found here: https://www.musee-volant-salis.fr/en
American Pickers
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Walter Minor Jungmann for sale
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New LOM information
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The article is not yet as detailed as Larry's work, but I hope it will be of interest none the less. You can read the article by visiting the "Bücker Engines" link at left, or by clicking here: LOM 332 Engine Information.
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