Albstadt/Degerfeld 2024 - Save the date!
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Perhaps the 2024 meeting?
Invitation to Bücker Enthusiasts from all over the world
Degerfeld airfield will host the next international Bücker fly in. Once again we will try to realize our dream to have 50 Bückers in the air to fly over our beautiful mountain area and the Hohenzollern castle. The date is June 29/30 2024. Earlier in the year this time in the hope of nicer weather :)
Jungmann and Jungmeisters have changed hands and for sure new owners will join us for another great event. We invite all international Bücker enthusiasts to join us, even if they cannot bring their airplanes because they live too far away. Degerfeld is located only 44 miles south from Stuttgart airport and easy to reach by rental cars.
Schedule
The arrival of Bückers may start on on Friday June 28. On Saturday and Sunday we will enjoy flying our planes. Together, solo, formations or aerobatics, whatever we feel like.The Degerfeld aero club offers us all hangar space and the infrastructure of the field. About 30 Bückers can be hangared over night.
Accommodation
Please make the hotel reservations by yourself. We will provide a shuttle service. Recommended hotels nearby are:- Hotel Post, Jungingen: www.hotel-post-jungingen.de
- Hotel Lamm Hechingen-Stein: www.hotel-lamm-hechingen.de
- Hotel Brielhof Hechingen: www.hotel-brielhof.de/
- Hotel Linde Albstadt-Ebingen: www.gasthof-linde.com
The airfield offers camp grounds and facilities for those who don't want to use a hotel room. The restaurant at the airfield will be reserved for us and will offer food and drinks all weekend. It has a wonderful beer garden with a lovely evening atmosphere. After flying we can use a projector and speakers for all kinds of presentations. Everybody is welcome to present his Bücker material.
Ulli Hunger -our enthusiastic Bücker movie director- will have his extended Bücker movie ready for us to enjoy.
Please let me know whether you will join our Bücker fly-in and let me know how many persons will join.
We are looking forward to welcoming you.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Hermann Diebold + Philipp Hüfner for LSV Degerfeld
Ph: +49-7477-87133 work
Mobile: +49-172-7302781
Mailing Address: Hermann Diebold, Konstantin-Killmaier-Weg 19, D-72379 Hechingen, Germany
Some images from 2017 to whet your appetite :)
Thanks to John Tempest for this excellent video of the meeting.
As we were saying our goodbyes and preparing to leave the fly-in at Albstadt-Degerfeld, Hermann Deibold said "This has been a dream come true." I think eveyone at the event felt the same way. About 25 Bückers had arrived by air. Six Siemens Jungmeisters, six Hirth Jungmann, two LOM Jungmann, Two Walter Mikron B&F Jungmann, three Tigre/CASA Jungmann, three Bestmann, one LOM Jungmeister, a Stieglitz and more. A Jungmeister and two Jungmann are based at Degerfeld, so all together I think I counted 29 Bückers!
The sound of 20+ vintage engines turning at once was something to experience.
Although the forecast for the weekend was horrible, Bückers started to arrive from Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland. There was lots of flying to be done, friendships to renew, stories to tell and eventually work to get that many aircraft into Degerfeld's big hangar.
At dinner on Friday night in the airfield restaurant we were treated to the much anticipated "Bücker Movie". Unfortunately a computer problem the week before had cased some problems with the movie, but even so what we saw was wonderful. Historical footage I had not seen before and a lot of new content of the most excellent quality. When this film is finished it is going to be fantastic.
More movies and stories were enjoyed at the airport restaurant, and Peter Funk gave a most interesting talk on the development of the A and B model Jungmann he now produces.
Sunday was a much better day. The early morning clouds soon dispersed and flying commenced. Benoit put on another impressive display of the flying that recently won him the world vintage aerobatics championships, there was some formation flying (three formations of three aircraft over the field), passenger rides were given to members of the Winter family who had so kindly shown us around their facility the day before, and some last minute maintenance was performed prior to what was for many, a long trip home.
Throughout the event we were treated to flights by RC model Bückers, the larges of which by far was this 80% scale Jungmeister. I counted at least eight servos, two receivers and five batteries in the model.
This is a B&F 'A' model Jungmann powered by a Walter Mikron engine. It sounded very Tigre like and was of spectacular quality. Two of the ten aircraft so far delivered were present.
My favorite aircraft of the show. What a classic.
WW2 Jungmann History from Bert Zimmerly
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The picture below was taken at the Pearson Airport in Vancouver, Washington in August 1993. The occasion was the Antique Airplane Fly-in.
The person standing on the left is Willi Kretschmer. Willi was a scientist/engineer who worked on the Me 163 rocket powered interceptor. (He is mentioned by name in the book "Top Secret Bird. - The Me 163 Comet". Willi worked for NASA during the 1950s.
On the right is H. Owen Moses. Owen was in northern France at a forward airstrip when a German Bücker Jungmann flew in. Two German mechanics climbed out and surrendered. The CO of the base was an English officer and flight instructor. He had his mechanics paint over the German markings and apply an RAF roundel. He then started teaching some of his crew to fly in the aircraft. Owen passed away at age 100.
It is not known what happened to the aircraft.
Frank Price in Bilbao
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Spring is (almost) Sprung
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Last weekend was exactly like that allowing Joe Vasile and Greg Stringer blow the dust off their Jungmann and enjoy an afternoon in the near 70°F/19°C temperatures.
Sport Aviation March 2024
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Breighton Bücker fly-in
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Czech parts - A new resource
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Is that a Ranger?
No. It's a Czech LOM332.
Ha! where ya gonna get parts for that?
I email the factory and they send them by DHL. I typically get them in a couple of days.
*Walks off muttering*
In truth, that's a bit of an exaggeration. Sometimes it works that way, but sometimes the part is not in stock or some convoluted paperwork process is required before it can be shipped. It has been my impression over the years that the biggest demand for parts is because it seems like a good idea to have some, rather than actually needing them.
Either way, more help may be at hand via https://zlinpartsamerica.com/ The company is run by Isaac Weix. Isaac is very well connected with sources of parts and service in the Czech Republic, and with people in the USA who operate Zlin & other LOM powered aircraft. Just as people often choose to have Lycoming engines overhauled at facilities other than the factory, there are shops in Europe that specialize in LOM overhaul and that do so at prices rather more palatable than the factory. This is where Isaac may be able to help.
Contact Isaac via https://zlinpartsamerica.com for more information.
New Siemens Sh14s (and parts) ?
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Tony is giving some thought to producing Siemens Sh14s:
We currently build the Gnome rotary engines. Last year I bought a Sieman Sh14a engine with the view to possibly making either parts or complete engines. Someone a couple of weeks ago asked if we were going to be making engines. Having already reversed engineered the Gnome I have an idea on what that costs so am wanting to know if there is a market for the SH14 engines/parts.
What I posted on face book is below and maybe you Bucker group would be interested?
Last year, we were able to buy a Siemens SH14 radial engine with the view to using it as a sample to reverse engineer. Before we embark on this task, we are wanting to gauge interest in this engine. If you are needing spare parts or you are in the market for a complete engine please let us know.
Thanks
Tony
Bü & BBQ 2024
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Mark your calendars. You are cordially invited to the 2024 Bu&BBQ.
Details will be coming soon, but same place this year - Cox Field. Please share with anyone with an interest in Buckers.
Hope to see you in September
Brian Karli
William Cox
Tom Eanes
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Tom's Jungmann was one of the last to be created by Mike Meloche, who provided the picture below.
Tome Eanes (right) with the late Jim White
(Jésus) Bücker Prado
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Some people enjoyed very good service from Bücker Prado, I certainly did, while others had horrible experiences that ended up in court. Ask Gilles Tatry.
After Jésus came Juan Alonso. When he took over the reigns I heard only bad news, often very bad. He absconded with deposits and got up to all kinds of crookery.
Now comes the next generation. Jésus J. Ballester, the founder's grandson is working to rebuild the company reputation and to once again participate in the supply and maintenance of Bücker/CASA components. We have corresponded for some time during which JJB has explained that it is not fair of me to paint him with the same brush as his uncle, while I have stressed that he needs to prove that, not just talk about it. I will say, however, that Gonzalo Figueroa Dura, who is a most reliable and trustworthy CASA supplier tells me he knows JJB and that he can be trusted. I find that encouraging.
Here is an email I have just received from Jésus. Perhaps we will have another source of parts, particularly from CASA aircraft.
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
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