Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann
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The Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann is a twin-seat single-engine aerobatic monoplane trainer aircraft designed and built by the German aviation company Bücker Flugzeugbau. It was extensively operated by the Luftwaffe throughout the Second World War. The Bü 181 was named Bestmann after a German maritime term designating a member of the deck crew on coastal or fishing vessels.
Bü 181 Bestmann | |
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A restored Bü 181 performing at the Shoreham Airshow 2012 | |
Role | trainer |
Manufacturer | Bücker |
First flight | February 1939 |
Primary users | Luftwaffe Czechoslovakia Egypt Sweden |
Number built | 3,400 |
The Bü 181 is closely related to the Bü 180 Student, sharing numerous technologies and manufacturing techniques. Unlike prior aircraft by the company, it featured a cabin with side-by-side seating. The Bü 181 had been designed to perform sports and touring flights, being suitable for performing aerobatics, although its primary role became that of a trainer. During February 1939, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. Following the completion of flight testing and an official evaluation by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM/Reich Aviation Ministry), the Bü 181 was selected to be the standard primary trainer of the Luftwaffe.
Series production of the Bü 181 commenced during 1940. Several different production models, including the Bü 181B and Bü 181C, were produced, although there were only slight variations between then. Germany's wartime demands for aircraft exceeded Bücker Flugzeugbau's capacity, thus the aircraft was manufactured under license by numerous other companies, including Fokker Company, Hägglund & Söner AB, and the Zlin Aviation Works. Thousands of aircraft were operated by the Luftwaffe and other operators, typically as a trainer aircraft. In German wartime service, the Bü 181 would also be used for several roles beyond training, such as a liaison aircraft, a glider tow and even (when crudely armed with Panzerfaust anti-tank grenade launchers) as a ground-attack aircraft.[1]