Bücker Bü 181 "Bestmann" Swiss Air Force
In the fall of 1944, as an Experiment, the Luftwaffe requisitioned the HB-EBI, a civilian Aircraft from Doflug Altenrhein, CH, marked it with the A-250, and Tested it as a beginner's training aircraft. The advantage was that the two seats were arranged next to each other. However, the flight characteristics for beginners' training were not satisfactory, which is why this Aircraft was returned to the owner on November 10, 1945.
In the meantime, other aircraft of this type landed in Switzerland and were purchased after the end of the war and used as liaison aircraft. At the beginning of 1956, serious defects became apparent in the cell, as the synthetic resin glue used on the wooden structure was beginning to dissolve. This finding led to the immediate decommissioning of all aircraft and subsequent Liquidation.
These aircraft were probably stationed outdoors in Summer and Winter, as they were equipped with a so-called Cold Start System, similar to the Daimler-Benz DB-601-E Engines.
The engines had to be kept running at 1200 rpm for 3 Minutes in the evening immediately after the last flight with the fuel metering valve open. During this time, a certain amount of fuel mixed with the lubricant, so that a so-called cold start could be carried out the next Day without preheating the Engine. The Air Force had not Tested whether this System had proven itself in practice, as they could not provide Replacement engines or spare parts in the event of a Defect. Kit: Special Hobby 1:48
What an elegant little airplane, and a nice build too!
Thanks for sharing.
Very neat work, Hans Peter.
Great job, Hans Peter! Excellent info on the cold start too!
Yours is a great build Hans Peter, with a striking scheme. I have one of these kits and would appreciate reading any comments you might have about your build experience, what went well and where any difficulties lie. Congratulations on completing this attractive little gem!
Hey Christopher,
Model
The kit is a Special Hobby 1:48 comes from Prague Czechoslovakia, several molded parts, nice printed decals and a few special parts are also included.
The blueprint is very nicely designed and the construction is easy to do. I chose the Swiss version because it was a commissioned work based on a model that ended up in Switzerland during World War II.
The cockpit was assembled and primed and painted, after the instrument panel was prepared, the displays were filled in black and then the decals were divided into three parts to make it easier to apply.
Then brushed it with plasticizer and left it standing and later covered it with clear varnish and filled the instruments with Canopy Glue so that it looked like glass.
When everything was assembled, the model was primed and then the whole model was sprayed white. Afterwards, everything related to the red color was sprayed and I didn't use the decals, the sprayed always looks nicer. (My opinion). Afterwards I put the green on it and later clear varnish and I took the crosses out of the crawling box.
The trim tabs and brackets are attached and painted from Eez parts with superglue, finally the prepared landing gear is attached and the model is finished and stands on a prepared display.
That's an interesting little plane, Hans Peter. Well done.
Quite the quaint-looking little critter, but a real standout in those markings. Looks great!
Well done - looks good in Swiss colors!
Very nice build, Hans Peter @messerschmitt
The Swiss scheme looks perfect.
Thumbs up to the Swiss livery. Great looing build, Peter.