The Spanish Bücker CASA 1.131 D-EIWW
The CASA 1.131-E is the licence-build Spanish version of the Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann. Around 550 aircraft were build in Spain from 1938 until the 1960s and served primarily as an initial trainer aircraft for new Spanish AF pilots. The type stayed within the Spanish AF with the military designation E-3B until 1986, thus making it the longest Jungmann-flying Air Force in the world – with an astonishing service time of 50 years!
Where? Northern Bavaria
When? August 2007
However it has to be mentioned that the aircraft were only flown very rarely during the last years before their final decommissioning. But nonetheless allwere kept in flyable status until the end. This was proven later as, when sold to their new owners, they were usually flown away directly.
CASA 1.131-E - D-EIWW
Powered by a TIGRE G-IV-A engine with 125 HP the aircraft featuring also flight characteristics that demand a lot of the students attention to actually fly it. Once it became known that the Jungmänner were being sold by the AF, they became very popular amongst private pilots as the aircraft were maintained very well while in service with the AF.
As a result of an auctions one of the aircraft, S/N and built 1954 in Cadiz, found its way to Germany. One special fact of this aircraft is that this was the aircraft that flew the final farewell tour for the CASA 1.131-E around Spain.
The aircraft is today based at the Hof/Plauen airport in north-east Bavaria and is still wearing the original gray and orange colour scheme of the Spanish AF with high visibility fin flash (black cross on white background).
The Jungmann was registered as E3B-432 during its military life and later received the German registration D-EIWW. Due to the German legislation at that time it had to be written on the aircraft in big letters, which remained the only major concession with respect to the original appearance of the aircraft.
Nowadays the aircraft is behaving well as ever and makes his owner happy during every minute he can fly his aircraft – a fact that I could experience as well when I have been offered the front seat on a second flight after I have taken the photos. Thanks for that, Walter, and of course to our photo pilot James, who contributed as well to the success of the photos!
Sitting in the Jungmann :)
Higher resolution photos of this flight can be found here:
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