Bucker Bu-181 “Bestman” - the German/ Swiss training - light attack aircraft

The main training aircraft for the Luftwaffe was the Bucker Bu-131 “Jungman” biplane, built in 1934. The success of this machine has led the firm to build an even better plane. This is how the Bu-181 “Bestman” emerged, the prototype of which first took to the air in 1939. The new aircraft was a hybrid monoplane with a mixed-design landing gear. The covered cabin accommodated two pilot seats, arranged next to each other, which increased the comfort of pilot training. Serial production began in 1942 and continued until the end of the war. Dozens of specimens were partially processed into percussion aircraft by mounting 4 “Panzerfaustus” at the wingtips. A special unit, 3.PzJgST, was formed from these planes, which was to be used in the fight against the Soviet tanks, attacking Berlin within the framework of Falksturm.

The publication can be used to make two complete models, one depicting the aircraft of this unit and the other - the training aircraft of the Swiss Air Force, which flew from Dubendorf base in 1950. These models can be assembled by less experienced modelers under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, but not as one of the first.