Bückers on the Big Screen
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- Written by: Brian Karli
I was watching a movie the other day which featured a pair of Stampe biplanes. I wondered where the Stampes were today and stumbled across a website caled Internet Movie Plane Database, which listed every airplane ever used in a movie. Of course, I typed in “Bücker Jungmann”.
I was amazed to see the Bücker Jungman was used in over 20 movies. I know there are few more movies with Bückers that didn’t make their list, (Three Amigos, I-88 come to mind) but many were new to me. There is even a section listing Jungmeisters in movies, too.
My favorite “new” movie was No le Bisque tres pies…. a story about a young man who wanted to be a fighter pilot in the Spanish Air Force. If you go to the :24 minute mark, you will see great footage of a Spanish Air Force training squadron filled with CASA Jungmanns. I kept wondering of one of them was mine. Perhaps I own a movie star?
If you search the name of the movie, you can watch the entire thing. 
When I went through the list, there were several recognizable Jungmanns. However, I did not recognize one seen in the movie Bolero:
Does anyone know the identity of the Bucker in the movie? Unfortunately the movie was a box office flop. It starred the popular and beautiful actress Bo Derrick, but critics hated the film, and it was nominated as the worst film of 1984. I have not seen the film, but any film that contained footage of Bückers can’t be all bad, can it?
Notes:
This film was originally 'X' rated but was later dropped to 'R'.
Historian Paco Rivas says the Jungmann in "Bolero" is EC-DAO. It now belongs to the Fundación Infante de Orleáns (Cuatro Vientos, Madrid). It is pwaitingto be restored. It was recorded as ‘2107’ but this has yet to be confirmed.
SB
Brian
Jungmann at War
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In the Spring of 1943 the FW 200 Condors assigned to protect U-boats as they entered and exited the Atlantic bases were coming up short. Their lack of maneuverability in fending off enemy fighters was a problem. Johannes Kaufmann was tasked with forming a new Luftwaffe squadron of Junkers Ju88s and to train pilots to protect the vessels as they transited the Bay of Biscay.
In his book "An Eagle's Odyssey he writes:
"For the initial part of our training programme we were also given some elderly Bücker Bü 131 ‘Jungmann’ biplanes. It was a new lease of life for these venerable primary trainers, but they were to prove remarkably useful. We could teach – at least in principle – all the individual basic manoeuvres that needed to be mastered if one was to survive, let alone be successful, in air combat. We could also put into practice all the tactical theories taught in the classroom in a much more economical and far less risky fashion than if we had let our partially trained pupils loose on the thirsty, high-powered Ju 88s. The sight of our tiny two-seat biplanes bumbling about the field may have raised more than a few smiles on the faces of the resident fourengined bomber crews, but the results we achieved very soon proved the effectiveness of our methods."
The book also makes frequent mention of Grossenhain airfield, site of the upcoming Bückertreffen.
Bückertreffen 2026
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The 2026 European Bücker fly-in is to be held at the historic Grossenhain airfield (EDAK) from June 12th ~ 14th. Ronald Gössner and his team are working on the details now so expect more shortly.
Grossenhain airfield, which is +/- 170 km south of Berlin in Saxony, has a long and storied history. Established in 1914, Manfred von Richtofen was sent there for initial training as an observer. It went on to see active service in two world wars and under soviet control during the cold war when Mig 15s, 17s and later Sukhoi fighter-bombers were based on the airport.
Today the airport is under pressure from land developers, so let's enjoy it while we can! You can read a lot more about the airport here and here.
Stay tuned.
T131PA for sale
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Stephan Stritter is reluctantly selling his Bücker/AirRes T131PA (Jungmann) aircraft. As Stephan says "I flew only 6-10 hours per year. It's too precious to me for that."
Based on Sylt Island, about as far North as it is possible to get in Germany, SP-YPS was built by AirRes and features the very plush and detailed cockpit they are known for.
Specification
Registration: SP-YPS (Polish register)
S/N: T131PA-201
Year: 2014
Total Time: 204
Engine SNEW: 187
Inspection: Valid until Sept 2026
Polish "Special“ Aircraft Category (Experimental)
Light aerobatic approved
Engine: LOM 332AK
Propeller: MT- Fixed Pitch wooden Propeller
Cruise Speed: 160-170 Km/h
Fuel Tank capacity: 85ltr
Fuel Consumption: 23-25 ltr/h cruise / approx. 38 ltr/h aerobatic
Fuelgrade: MOGas, Super, AvGas, (Min 88 ROZ)
Avionics: Trig COM and Mode S Transponder
Hooker Aerobatic Harness
Excellent Condition, Always hangared
Accident free.
Additional Equipment
Full aircraft protective cover
Extra Cockpit cover for cockpit protection
Front cockpit metal cover for Single Seat conversion
2 rescue parachutes for aerobatic
2 extra silver side panels (exchangeable with tiger striped panels)
6 fuel canister (Jerry Cans)
1 Headset with leather cap
All markings are stickers.
Asking Price 130.000,- € (from Private Owner)
Please contact Stephan at
Tony Smith's Last Display Flight
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Tony "Taff" Smith of the Real Aeroplane Company in Yorkshire, UK, flew what he expects to be his last display flight in August of 2025 having achieved eighty years of age the same year. Many congratulation on a memorable flying career Tony!
Tony's Jungmann G-TAFF appears further down this page.
From CAD to reality in a few days
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James Brown, who is based in the UK is building a 133 Jungmeister and has been using a combination of CAD and an online, remote engineering company to make the parts. James is willing to share the CAD files with anyone that is interested. The drawings were produced with AutoDesk Fusion and the manufacturing was done by HD Prototypes. https://www.hdprototypes.com/ James says thier quality is excellent.
Email me if you would like more information.
Book Review
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Very occasionally I come across a book that is so enjoyable I feel compelled to share it. Such is the case with
Amazon has this to say:
This book is a truly remarkable account that captures the atmosphere, thrills and danger of the pioneering days of aviation.
Howard Pixton was flying for A V Roe at Brooklands in 1910 when S F Cody at Laffan's Plain tried to persuade him to join him. But in 1911 he test flew A V Roe's 'tractor biplane, the forerunner of the 504. By now acknowledged as the first professional test pilot, he left A V to join Bristols and for two years demonstrated new models to dignitaries across Europe.In 1913 he joined Tommy Sopwith and in 1914 he became the first Briton in a British plane to win an international race, the coveted Schneider Trophy. This gave Britain air supremacy and Howard was feted as the finest pilot in the World. Sopwith's Tabloid aircraft developed into the 'Pup', and then into the 'Camel'. Throughout The Great War Pixton test flew many of the rapid evolving designs. For a biography of an early aviation pioneer of the top rank, this book cannot be bettered.
I think even life-long students of early aviation will learn a lot from this book. One of the most fascinating things for me was the remarkable correlation between the book and that great (?) old movie "Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines." There really was Brooklands of course with it's banked race track but there also really was a sewage farm and Pixton ended up in it on several occasions. There was a young lady who turned up on a motorcycle waering a large white hat tied with a bow under her chin. Paxton flew the Bristol Boxkite and the Avro Triplane both of which feature in the movie. There were many newspaper sponsored races and there was even an aircraft with circular wings they nicknamed "The Doughnut". I could go on, but it is clear that Paxton or this book must have been the inspiration for the film.
Definitely my favorite read of 2025.
Famous Jungmann for sale
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G-TAFF is surely one of the most well known Jungmann in the world. Taff Smith has owned the aircraft for 40 years and once flew it from Australia to the UK! You can read about the trip here: https://bucker.info/index.php/anecdotes-mainmenu-69/477-half-the-globe-by-bucker-jungmann
The full advertisement for the aircraft is on PlaneCheck.com here: https://www.planecheck.com/?ent=da&id=63905
G-TAFF has:
- Bruntons stainless wires
- Vintech engine
- Christian fuel selector
- Cleveland disc brakes with Bitz axles
- Full inverted oil/fuel
- Ellison injector carb
- New Cambrai cover
- Stainless exhaust
- Mitchell tachometers
2026 Bücker Calendar
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The new calendar is now available from the Bücker shop in Rangsdorf. You may order a copy here: https://bueckershop.com/index.php/mobil-kategorien/product/view/16/9 If German is not your language, however, please email Knut Hentzshcel at 
D-EFQP for sale
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- Written by: Hermann Diebold
Dear Bücker enthusiasts,
Sandra Höhn is offering Herbert Höhn's beautiful Casa Bücker for sale. As you may be aware, Herbert Höhn and Friedrich Diehl lost their lives in the tragic crash of a T6 in Finland. Herbert's Bücker is now looking for a new owner and a new home. It is currently located in Paderborn at the Quax Museum and can be inspected there. There are knowledgeable people on site who can provide detailed information about the aircraft.
If you are interested in the aircraft, please contact Sandra Höhn directly:
If you know anyone who might be interested in this aircraft, please forward this message. A spec sheet can be downloaded from here.
Hermann
Cantacuzino's Lycoming Jungmesiter
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Paco Rivas recently took a screenshot showing Cantacuzino standing in front of Jungmeister EC-AMO at a fuel stop at the Lasarte airfield (San Sebastián, Spain) on June 8th 1957. Little is know about this aircraft and certainly there are some mysteries surrounding it. This is only the second picture to be discovered. The Jungmeister appears to have extended spreader bars and a Lycoming engine with a top mounted air intake and side exhaust.
The picture below has been seen before and according to a number of sources was taken in Blackpool, UK. Paco found that the Blackpool show took place on June 14th with a second show on the 16th, so the dates match.
According to Air Britain magazine: "The registration EC-AMO was never officially applied to a CASA 1.133L but to an AISA 1-11B Peque. Apparently Cantacuzino flew this plane without official registration at this event but he was known for not caring about any legislative requirements! The fate of this plane is unknown - maybe it was ex ES.1-17." Paco believe ES-1.34 is also a candidate.
Several sources say the engine is a "275 HP Lycoming boxer engine" and Paco says the provisional C of A lists "260 HP on take off and 240 HP cruise". That would fit with an O-540. The nose looks surprisingly short but there is really no way to tell from the pictures.
Thank you Paco.
N211BP For Sale
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N211BP is a famous Jungmann. Owned for most of it's life by the Pfaff family, Bob Pfaff wrote a story about the aircraft which you can read here: The Great Transcontinental Airmail Dash. 
When the Pfaff family stewardship came to an end, the aircraft was purchased by a Long Island collector but unfortunately on the delivery flight a ground loop cut the trip short in Atlantic City, NJ. The aircraft was repaired and recovered. It was painted in a style that reflected the new owner's taste .
Offered for sale again, the aircraft was purchased by Swiss airline pilot John Simon who had it shipped to an airfield close to Zurich. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond his control, John now finds himself unable to operate the Jungmann and has decided to pass it on to a new owner.
John is keen for a quick sale, hence it is offered at an unusually attractive price with a further discount possible for a buyer that can move quickly.
The aircraft retains it current US registration and certificate of airworthiness. Should it come back to the USA it will need to have its operating limitations updated by the FSDO to reflect its new location per the rules for Experimental/Exhibition aircraft.
The aircraft is currently disassembled ready for shipment which can be arranged by the buyer or negotiated with the seller.
Please contact John Simon at
Aerobatics - My Dream
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Albert Zeller found this fascinating movie of the great Swiss pilot Francis Liardon flying a display in Bern with HB-MKN, the Jungmeister which belonged to the Swiss FAA (BAZL) at that time and which Albert overhauled completely in the 1990s. Albert said that "I like very much the style of Liardon’s performance – soft elegant aerobatics."
Thank you Albert.
If you experience any difficulties watching the above video (Not all browser/OS combinations are supportable) please try this link instead.
Website changes
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The site changes are complete. Please let me know if you see any problems.
SB
A number of updates need to be made to the technology behind this website. It may be a little unstable over the next few days. If you experience any issues, please be patient and try again later :)
Thanks
Fall 2025
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Rather than my usual picture of yellow Bückers amongst the fall foliage, this time a couple of shots of Jerry Wells and Joe Vasile who flew their Jungmeisters to the annual "Pumpkin Drop" at Grimes field, Pennsylvania. Of 175 pumpkins dropped, five found the target. Maybe next year they will use a pathfinder :)
Placards Needed
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Pierre Delvaux is looking for original Swiss Jungmeister placards that match those shown below. Pierre is well along in restoring Jungmeister U-92. Please contact him at 
Lycoming Jungmann for sale (Barnstormers.com)
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Bü & BBQ 2025
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A Motorized Tow Bar
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