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Bücker Bü.181/Zlín Z-181 Main Wheels (Q48404) 1:48 CMK Quick & Easy by Special Hobby Kit wheels are generally in two halves, which means you have the resultant joins to deal with, possible mould-slip issues on single part wheels, and sometimes less than stellar detail due to the moulding limitations of styrene injection technology, especially in the tread department. That's where replacement resin wheels come in, with their lack of seamline and superior detail making a compelling argument. They are also usually available at a reasonable price, and can be an easy introduction to aftermarket and resin handling, as they are usually a drop-in replacement. As usual with CMK's resin sets, they arrive in the familiar clear vacformed box, with the resin parts safely inside, and the instructions sandwiched between the header card at the rear. There are two pour blocks with eight resin parts, some of which are optional, and they are of course a drop-in replacement for the kit parts once they have been liberated from the casting stub. Sensibly, the main wheels are attached by the contact patch, so should be easy to clean up without ruining any of the radial tread. The six hubs include a rear hub and a choice of standard dished or four-spoke hubs at the front, all of which are attached to the casting blocks at the back. A little work with a motor tool or razor saw should see those removed in moments, then all you need choose is whether to have spoked wheels or dished. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Not my usual scale (1/32) or subject matter (Luftwaffe), but I really enjoyed this kit. Everything fit where it should and it was nicely detailed, although I added Eduard instrument panels and seat harnesses, and the resin shrouds on the rigging cables. ICM included a full engine but no way off showing it off unfortunately, short of cutting up the engine cowling. I really hope they release a Bü 133 Jungmeister – I'd love to do a yellow Swiss one.

Bucker Bu 131D with German Cadets (32034) 1:32 ICM The Bu 131 was designed by Carl Bucker and Anders Anderssen after Bucker Flugzeugbau was established in Germany in 1932. This was to be the last biplane built in Germany. The aircraft is a conventional two seat trainer with a fuselage made of steel tubes, and wings made of wood; everything being fabric covered. A Hirth HM60R 60hp engine was fitted. The aircraft was, and still is praised for its handling characteristics against even modern aircraft. The aircraft was before and druring WWII the basic promary trainer for the Luftwaffe. It was also selected in this role by the Japanese Army (Kokusai Ki-86), The Japanses Navy (Kyushu K9W), and the Spanish Air Force (CASA Production). In deed CASA continued manufacturing the aircraft well into the 1960s. Additonal licensed production also took place in Switzerland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. A further 21 aircraft were produced in 1994 in Spain using the CASA jigs. The aircraft is still being produced today by Air Res Aviation in Poland. The Kit This is a rebox from ICM now including the cadet figures they also boxed separately. The kit arrives on two main sprues, and a small clear sprue. Like the real aircraft construction is pretty straight forward. The build starts with the main lower wing. This is of conventional construction with a single pat lower and split left/right upper. The centre of the wing will also form the bottom of the front cockpit. A section of framing for this cockpit must be placed in once the wing is completed. The ailerons are seperate parts and can be added at this stage as well. Construction then moves onto two parts side by side. The rest of the cockpit steel tube famrework is added to both the fuselage halves, at the sametime the aircrafts engine is also made up and added to its bearers. Once the cockpit frames are in the fuselage can be joined up. The fixed parts of the tailplanes are added at this stage also. the fuselage can then be joined to the lower wing. Moving back to the fuselage the coamings for both cockpits are made up and the instrument panels are added. Instruments are provided as decals. The seats are then added along with the forward fuselage metal panels and the engine firewall. The engine can then be mounted and its covers added. The prop and its housing can then be added at the front. Next up the two part upper wing is also made up and added. Again the ailerons are seperate parts. The interplane strusts are then added to the upper wing. Once done this can be mounted to the lower wing. To finish up the under carridge is made up and added along with a few external parts A basic rigging diagram is provided in the instructions, this is not too clear to be honest and the modeller would be recomended to check their references. Markings There are four decal options included in the box, The swastikas are not present so the modeller will have to source them elsewhere. From the box you can build one of the following: 2./JG54, Russia, March 1942, white winter camo over Dark Green RLM71 / Blue RLM65 2./JG54, Russia, Summer 1942, Dark Green RLM71 over Blue RLM65 Stab III/NJG 1, Germany 1943, Overall Grey RLM02 Training Unit Bad Aibling, Germany 1944, Overall Grey RLM02 Decals are printed by ICM, with good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Figures This set of three figures from ICM are primarily designed for their excellent 1/32 Bu 131 kits. There is one pilot figure strapping on his parachute with help from one ground crew member whilst another gives instructions. The figure are well sculpted and moulded from ICM Conclusion It is good to see an important trainer aircraft kitted in a larger scale, which for the aircraft still wont be a massive model. The quality of the kit is up there with ICM's latest releases, and really could only do with a set of seatbelts to imporove on whats in the box. The inclusion of figures makes it a great package. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

This is a project that was started in July and just completed a few days ago. It was ordered as a present for the pilot of the fullsize Jungmann and so I've kept details of the model off the net until he received the model over the weekend just gone. The picture below shows the fullsize example, not long after arriving in the UK from Germany. Over the winter, the owner is converting the aircraft to a fully aerobatic configuration, with an inverted fuel system and other changes. This is because he competes in international aerobatic competitions using the Aresti sequence of manoeuvres. The Aresti catalog is the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) standards document containing the aerobatic manoeuvres permitted in aerobatic competition. It was upon arrival of the aircraft that I was brought into the equation. I was approached by friends of the pilot, to produce a model of his aircraft that he could use to plan and run through manoeuvres prior to taking to the air. The Revell boxing of the Jungmann was to be the basis of the aircraft, but there would be a number of changes along the way to try and make the model more durable.

Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann 1:48 Special Hobby The Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann is a conventional single engine low wing monoplane training aircraft with side by side seating and twin controls. Construction is wood on the rear fuselage and wings with a tubular steel frame for the main cabin area. The aircraft would be powered by a 105 hp Hirth HM 500 engine. The aircraft was designed in the late 1930’s with the maiden flight taking place in 1939. The aircraft was selected by the Reichsluftfahtministerium (RLM) to be the standard primary trainer for the Luftwaffe with production beginning in 1940. Despite being built as a trainer the aircraft was used in the light transport and liaison roles. Late in the war due to desperation some aircraft were converted to carry four Panzerfaust launchers, and others to carry three 50kg bombs. The aircraft saw limited service in these roles with a little success but resulting in heavy losses. Bücker built most of the aircraft for the Luftwaffe but due to the high demand production was also subcontracted to Fokker in Amsterdam & Zliner in Zlin. Hägglund & Sőner in Sweden would build 120 under license, the aircraft being designated Sk 25 in Swedish Service. Post war in 1950 Heliopolis of Egypt gained a license from Zliner to produce the aircraft for the Egyptian Military and other Air Forces of the region, these were called the Gomhouria (Republic). Over 300 being built. In total over 3400 Bestmanns were built. None of the German aircraft survive but a fair few licence built Swedish & Egyptian ones do. The Kit This is a new tool kit from Special Hobby featuring three sprues of light grey plastic, a canopy sprue, a small sheet of photo-etch and a couple of resin parts. Where needed the panel lines are fine & recessed, the fabric detail is also restrained. Construction starts where else but in the cockpit. The PE seatbelts are added to the two seats and these are then added onto the cockpit floor which incorporates the rear bulkhead. The rudder pedals and control columns are added along with the cockpit sides. lastly to complete the cockpit section the instrument panel is added. Decals are provided for the instruments. Once the cockpit section is complete it is added into the fuselage section along with the rear cockpit decking. Next up the wings are constructed, these are of conventional upper/lower, left & right construction. Once together they can be added to the main fuselage along with the tail planes. Next up then engine front part (in resin) and the cover are added to the front. On the underside of the engine the exhausts are added. These are provided in resin and are very thin so take care removing them from the casting block. Once the man airframe is together the canopy can be added along with the fairing behind it. The fixed landing gear is added, along with the propeller and a pair of prominent grab handles. To finish off the trim tabs are added to the rudder and tail planes. Decals Decals are from Cartograf and should pose no problems. Markings are provided for 3 examples; SF+WR, Pilot Training School, FFS A/B 23, Kaufbergen, Germany Summer 1943. GL+SI, Pilot Training School, FFS A/B 43, Crailsheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany September 1943. A-255 Swiss Air Force, Duendorf, 1950. Ex Luftwaffe TP+WC landed and interned April 1945. The modeller will need to paint the white areas for the wings on the Swiss Example but not the fuselage. Conclusion This is a great new tooling of an important WWII training aircraft which was used by many operator post war. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Bücker Bü 131A German Training Aircraft (32033) 1:32 ICM The Bu 131 was designed by Carl Bucker and Anders Anderssen after Bucker Flugzeugbau was established in Germany in 1932. This was to be the last biplane built in Germany. The aircraft is a conventional two seat trainer with a fuselage made of steel tubes, and wings made of wood; everything being fabric covered. A Hirth HM60R 60hp engine was fitted. The aircraft was, and still is praised for its handling characteristics against even modern aircraft. This was the last biplane to be built in Germany. The aircraft was before and during WWII the basic primary trainer for the Luftwaffe. It was also selected in this role by the Japanese Army (Kokusai Ki-86), The Japaneses Navy (Kyushu K9W), and the Spanish Air Force (CASA Production). In deed CASA continued manufacturing the aircraft well into the 1960s. Additional licensed production also took place in Switzerland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. A further 21 aircraft were produced in 1994 in Spain using the CASA jigs. The aircraft is still being produced today by Air Res Aviation in Poland. The Kit The kit arrives on two main sprues, and a small clear sprue. Like the real aircraft construction is pretty straight forward. The build starts with the main lower wing. This is of conventional construction with a single pat lower and split left/right upper. There is an additional sprue in this boxing for the Hitachi Ha-47 engine used by Japanese (Though both the cowlings for the Bu 131B & D are in the box as well). The centre of the wing will also form the bottom of the front cockpit. A section of framing for this cockpit must be placed in once the wing is completed. The ailerons are separate parts and can be added at this stage as well. Construction then moves onto two parts side by side. The rest of the cockpit steel tube framework is added to both the fuselage halves, at the sometime the aircraft's engine is also made up and added to its bearers. Once the cockpit frames are in the fuselage can be joined up. The fixed parts of the tailplanes are added at this stage also. the fuselage can then be joined to the lower wing. Moving back to the fuselage the coamings for both cockpits are made up and the instrument panels are added. Instruments are provided as decals. The seats are then added along with the forward fuselage metal panels and the engine firewall. The engine can then be mounted and its covers added. The prop and its housing can then be added at the front. Next up the two part upper wing is also made up and added. Again the ailerons are separate parts. The interplane struts are then added to the upper wing. Once done this can be mounted to the lower wing. To finish up the under carriage is made up and added along with a few external parts A basic rigging diagram is provided in the instructions, this is not too clear to be honest and the modeller would be recommended to check their references. Markings There are four decal options included in the box. From the box you can build one of the following: D-EGSY Germany 1936 (Box art) WL-ENBA Germany 1939 Decals are printed by ICM, with good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. If you want Swastikas for the tail on the first option you will need to source them as they are not in the kit. Conclusion It is good to see an important trainer aircraft kitted in a larger scale, which for the aircraft still wont be a massive model. The quality of the kit is up there with ICM's latest releases, and really could only do with a set of seat belts to improve on whats in the box. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Bucker Bu 131B (32031) 1:32 ICM The Bu 131 was designed by Carl Bucker and Anders Anderssen after Bucker Flugzeugbau was established in Germany in 1932. This was to be the last biplane built in Germany. The aircraft is a conventional two seat trainer with a fuselage made of steel tubes, and wings made of wood; everything being fabric covered. A Hirth HM60R 60hp engine was fitted. The aircraft was, and still is praised for its handling characteristics against even modern aircraft. The aircraft was before and during WWII the basic primary trainer for the Luftwaffe. It was also selected in this role by the Japanese Army (Kokusai Ki-86), The Japanese Navy (Kyushu K9W), and the Spanish Air Force (CASA Production). In deed CASA continued manufacturing the aircraft well into the 1960s. Additional licensed production also took place in Switzerland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. A further 21 aircraft were produced in 1994 in Spain using the CASA jigs. The aircraft is still being produced today by Air Res Aviation in Poland. The Kit The kit is essentially the same plastic as the Bu 131D released earlier, but with extra parts for the differences. It arrives on two main sprues, and a small clear sprue. Like the real aircraft construction is pretty straight forward. The build starts with the main lower wing. This is of conventional construction with a single pat lower and split left/right upper. The centre of the wing will also form the bottom of the front cockpit. A section of framing for this cockpit must be placed in once the wing is completed. The ailerons are separate parts and can be added at this stage as well. Construction then moves onto two parts side by side. The rest of the cockpit steel tube framework is added to both the fuselage halves, at the same time the aircraft's engine is also made up and added to its bearers. Once the cockpit frames are in the fuselage can be joined up. The fixed parts of the tailplanes are added at this stage also. the fuselage can then be joined to the lower wing. Moving back to the fuselage the coamings for both cockpits are made up and the instrument panels are added. Instruments are provided as decals. The seats are then added along with the forward fuselage metal panels and the engine firewall. The engine can then be mounted and its covers added. The prop and its housing can then be added at the front. Next up the two part upper wing is also made up and added. Again the ailerons are separate parts. The interplane struts are then added to the upper wing. Once done this can be mounted to the lower wing. To finish up the under carriage is made up and added along with a few external parts A basic rigging diagram is provided in the instructions, this is not too clear to be honest and the modeller would be recommended to check their references. Markings There are two decal options included in the box, The swastikas are not present so the modeller will have to source them elsewhere. From the box you can build two training aircraft from pre war Germany. Decals are printed by ICM, with good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Conclusion It is good to see an important trainer aircraft kitted in a larger scale, which for the aircraft still wont be a massive model. The quality of the kit is up there with ICM's latest releases, and really could only do with a set of seatbelts to improve on whats in the box. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Bucker Bu 131D (32030) 1:32 ICM The Bu 131 was designed by Carl Bucker and Anders Anderssen after Bucker Flugzeugbau was established in Germany in 1932. This was to be the last biplane built in Germany. The aircraft is a conventional two seat trainer with a fuselage made of steel tubes, and wings made of wood; everything being fabric covered. A Hirth HM60R 60hp engine was fitted. The aircraft was, and still is praised for its handling characteristics against even modern aircraft. The aircraft was before and druring WWII the basic promary trainer for the Luftwaffe. It was also selected in this role by the Japanese Army (Kokusai Ki-86), The Japanses Navy (Kyushu K9W), and the Spanish Air Force (CASA Production). In deed CASA continued manufacturing the aircraft well into the 1960s. Additonal licensed production also took place in Switzerland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. A further 21 aircraft were produced in 1994 in Spain using the CASA jigs. The aircraft is still being produced today by Air Res Aviation in Poland. The Kit The kit arrives on two main sprues, and a small clear sprue. Like the real aircraft construction is pretty straight forward. The build starts with the main lower wing. This is of conventional construction with a single pat lower and split left/right upper. The centre of the wing will also form the bottom of the front cockpit. A section of framing for this cockpit must be placed in once the wing is completed. The ailerons are seperate parts and can be added at this stage as well. Construction then moves onto two parts side by side. The rest of the cockpit steel tube famrework is added to both the fuselage halves, at the sametime the aircrafts engine is also made up and added to its bearers. Once the cockpit frames are in the fuselage can be joined up. The fixed parts of the tailplanes are added at this stage also. the fuselage can then be joined to the lower wing. Moving back to the fuselage the coamings for both cockpits are made up and the instrument panels are added. Instruments are provided as decals. The seats are then added along with the forward fuselage metal panels and the engine firewall. The engine can then be mounted and its covers added. The prop and its housing can then be added at the front. Next up the two part upper wing is also made up and added. Again the ailerons are seperate parts. The interplane strusts are then added to the upper wing. Once done this can be mounted to the lower wing. To finish up the under carridge is made up and added along with a few external parts A basic rigging diagram is provided in the instructions, this is not too clear to be honest and the modeller would be recomended to check their references. Markings There are four decal options included in the box, The swastikas are not present so the modeller will have to source them elsewhere. From the box you can build one of the following: 2./JG54, Russia, March 1942, white winter camo over Dark Green RLM71 / Blue RLM65 2./JG54, Russia, Summer 1942, Dark Green RLM71 over Blue RLM65 Stab III/NJG 1, Germany 1943, Overall Grey RLM02 Training Unit Bad Aibling, Germany 1944, Overall Grey RLM02 Decals are printed by ICM, with good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Conclusion It is good to see an important trainer aircraft kitted in a larger scale, which for the aircraft still wont be a massive model. The quality of the kit is up there with ICM's latest releases, and really could only do with a set of seatbelts to imporove on whats in the box. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann "panzerjagdstaffeln" 1:48 Special Hobby The Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann is a conventional single engine low wing monoplane training aircraft with side by side seating and twin controls. Construction is wood on the rear fuselage and wings with a tubular steel frame for the main cabin area. The aircraft would be powered by a 105 hp Hirth HM 500 engine. The aircraft was designed in the late 1930’s with the maiden flight taking place in 1939. The aircraft was selected by the Reichsluftfahtministerium (RLM) to be the standard primary trainer for the Luftwaffe with production beginning in 1940. Despite being built as a trainer the aircraft was used in the light transport and liaison roles. Late in the war due to desperation some aircraft were converted to carry four Panzerfaust launchers, and others to carry three 50kg bombs. The aircraft saw limited service in these roles with a little success but resulting in heavy losses. Bücker built most of the aircraft for the Luftwaffe but due to the high demand production was also subcontracted to Fokker in Amsterdam & Zliner in Zlin. Hägglund & Sőner in Sweden would build 120 under license, the aircraft being designated Sk 25 in Swedish Service. Post war in 1950 Heliopolis of Egypt gained a license from Zliner to produce the aircraft for the Egyptian Military and other Air Forces of the region, these were called the Gomhouria (Republic). Over 300 being built. In total over 3400 Bestmanns were built. None of the German aircraft survive but a fair few licence built Swedish & Egyptian ones do. The Kit This is a new tool kit from Special Hobby featuring three sprues of light grey plastic, a canopy sprue, a small sheet of photo-etch and a couple of resin parts. Where needed the panel lines are fine & recessed, the fabric detail is also restrained. Construction starts where else but in the cockpit. The PE seatbelts are added to the two seats and these are then added onto the cockpit floor which incorporates the rear bulkhead. The rudder pedals and control columns are added along with the cockpit sides. lastly to complete the cockpit section the instrument panel is added. Decals are provided for the instruments. Once the cockpit section is complete it is added into the fuselage section along with the rear cockpit decking. This is now the third boxing from Special Hobby of the kit and features the last ditch attempts to arm these aircraft with Panzerfaust launchers. Next up the wings are constructed, these are of conventional upper/lower, left & right construction. Once together they can be added to the main fuselage along with the tail planes. Next up then engine front part (in resin) and the cover are added to the front. On the underside of the engine the exhausts are added. These are provided in resin and are very thin so take care removing them from the casting block. Once the man airframe is together the canopy can be added along with the fairing behind it. The fixed landing gear is added, along with the propeller and a pair of prominent grab handles. To finish off the trim tabs are added to the rudder and tail planes. Decals Unlike other boxings the decals look to be made in house, they look like they should pose no problems. Markings are provided for 3 examples; SK+QW. 3 Panzerjagdstaffel, Kaubeuren Airfield, April 1945 +KV, 1 Panzerjagdstaffel, Finow Airfield 1945.. Yellow 10, 3 Panzerjagdstaffel- West. This aircraft defected to Switzerland in 1945 and operated there until 1956. Conclusion This is a great new tooling of an important WWII training aircraft which was used under dubious conditions at the end of the war, and by many operators post war. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Bücker Bü 131 "Jungmann" pics thanks to Mark Mills.

Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann, pics thanks to Mark Mills. This is a late production aircraft which were built by the Heliopolis Aircraft Works facility in Egypt, as a Gomhouria Mk 6 (‘GL+SU’, is one of these), under license from Zlin.