HISTORICAL MINIATURES BY GEORGE GRASSE
SWISS AIR FORCE 1930s 1:48 SCALE

B�CKER B�.131c "JUNGMANN" Nr. A-51 SWISS AIR FORCE 1939

by George Grasse

MPM 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT MP4020 OF THE B�CKER B�.131 "JUNGMANN Nr. A-51

BUCKER Bu.131 "JUNGMANN" Nr. A-51 MUSEUM PHOTO
This is the preserved Bucker Bu.131 "Jungmann" number A-51 suspended from the ceiling of the Dubendorf Museum, Switzerland, to be represented by the model in this article. 1
 
 
 
B�CKER B�.131 "JUNGMMANN" Nr. A-51 3-VIEW
This three-view drawing was taken from Die Flugzeuge der schweizerischen Fliegertruppe seit 1914 (Aircraft of the Swiss Air Force Since 1914).  The Bucker Bu.131 is small two-seat trainer with a wingspan of 7.4 meters, a length of 6.62 meters, and stands 2.37 meters high.  It was designed in Germany and intended as a basic trainer. 2
 
 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #1
16 June 2014
COCKPIT INTERIOR: In my exuberance to build this model, I forgot to take photos of the cockpit interior so this is the best I could do.
 
 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #2
16 June 2014
FUSELAGE ASSEMBLY:  The two halves of the fuselage were a good fit and only the seam lines needed putty and sanding.
 
 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #3
17 June 2014
LANDING GEAR:  The kit's landing gear is composed of three plastic metal parts: struts, wheels with fenders, and a central reinforcing strut forming a large "X".  Four brass pins were positioned at the four ends of the "X" reinforcement strut gear strut: the top two for attachment to the fuselage and the two bottom for attachment of the wheels.  The main struts had a plastic projection that connected to the wheels.  These were cut off and brass rod was used.
 
 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #4
17 June 2014
WINGS AND TAIL: The one-piece bottom wing was glued into its slot under the fuselage and required a bead of putty to seal it.  The fin and rudder were integral to the fuselage leaving a gap for the horizontal tail which was now glued in place.  Brass rod struts were added to support the tail structure.  The tail wheel was drilled and fitted with a brass rod for strength.  
 
 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #5
17 June 2014
OVERVIEW OF WORK SO FAR
 
 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #6
18 June 2014
LANDING GEAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MADE FROM THIN COPPER WIRE
 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #7
19 June 2014
BEGINNING TO PAINT: This photo shows the two stages of color.  The end result is the orange-yellow finish but to get there, the model is first primed with Tamiya 87044 White Primer.  Before applying the orange-yellow, a coat of Tamiya 85046 Light Sand is applied.  Experience has taught me that yellow is better sprayed over a light sand surface.  The orange-yellow I use is Tamiya 85034 Camel Yellow.  This photo is intended to show both colors and does not represent the finished product.
 
 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #8
29 July 2014
FINAL PAINT AND UPPER WING : Since the last photo was taken, the model has been completely painted in its overall yellow scheme.  The black stripes were from the kit's decal sheet.  Wing insignia also came from the kit.  Panel lines were painted with a dark brown/black color.  All of the rigging holes on the underside of the top wing were drilled into the plastic but not through the wing.  The lower wing had corresponding holes drilled through the wing.  Rigging is .005 monofilament charcoal thread and the individual pieces were cut and glued to the underside of the top wing.  When all of the struts are in place, the rigging will be pulled through the lower wing and glued from the underside.  The wing struts were made from brass tube and brass rod and set into the lower wings with super glue.  The cabane struts are the next step.  
 
 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #9
7 August 2014
RIGGING COMPLETE : This photo shows the completed rigging and propeller. 
 

FINISHED PHOTO 10a
 
 
 
FINISHED PHOTO 10b
 
 
  
FINISHED PHOTO 11a
 
 
  
FINISHED PHOTO 11b
 
 
  
FINISHED PHOTO 12a
 
 
  
FINISHED PHOTO 12b
 
 
  
 
 
------------------------------------------   FINIS  --------------------------------------------
 
 

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FOOTNOTES

1 Dubendorf Museum, Switzerland.  Click here to more images.

2 Urech, Jakob.  Die Flugzeuge der schweizerischen Fliegertruppe seit 1914, pages 210-211

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Konig, Erwin.  Bucker Bu.131 "Jungmeister", Flugzeug Profile Nr. 29.  Illertissen: Flugzeug Publikations GmbH.

Urech, Jakob (editor) and Emil Hunziker (drawings).  Die Flugzeuge der schweizerischen Fliegertruppe seit 1914 (Swiss Air Force Aircraft since 1914).  Stufa:  Verlag Th. Gut & Co., 1975.

 

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