To build the German war machine of World War 2 (1939-1945), the Nazi regime required all manner of trainers and training equipment to bring their forces to an impressive fighting standard. One contribution to the burgeoning Luftwaffe ranks was the Bucker Bu 131 "Jungmann" ("Young Man"), a single-engine, twin-seat basic trainer of biplane form. This aircraft appeared in 1935, during the run-up to World War 2, and this aircraft was followed into the service in 1936 by a more advanced model in the Bucker Bu 133 "Jungmeister" ("Young Master").
The Bu 133 was certainly influenced by the Bu 131 before it in both form and function and built upon the established, proven framework of the Jungmann. The biplane wing arrangement was retained as was the single-engine installation but crew seating was reduced to one pilot/student (in an open-air cockpit with raised spine). The fuselage appeared more rotund and deeper than in the Bu 131 while the tail unit highly conventional for the period. A two-wheeled, twin-legged undercarriage found under the aircraft remained fixed in flight and was used for ground-running. Tubular steel and wood made up the internal structure of the aircraft while wood, sheet metal, and fabric were used in its skinning.
A first-flight of a prototype Bu 133 was recorded during 1935 and this form was powered by a Hirth HM506 air-cooled inline piston engine outputting 140 horsepower and driving a two-bladed propeller at the nose. The aircraft gave a good showing during testing, formal evaluations, and aerobatic displays but global customers were slow to appreciate the advanced aerobatic trainer for the market largely passed on the Bu 133A model and only a pair of Bu 133B aircraft were completed. The Bu 133C was finished with a Siemens-Bramo Sh14A air-cooled radial piston engine under a more stylish cowling and it was this variant that went on to shine on the global stage: fifty-two examples went to the Swiss Air Force from the Dornier brand label (licensed production) and another fifty or so were delivered to the Spanish Air Force by CASA (these as the CASA "1-133").
By the end of the 1930s, the Bu 133 was secured as the primary advanced aircraft trainer for the German Luftwaffe - these would be used as a critical stepping stone for up-and-coming airmen soon to serve the Luftwaffe in constant air battles all over the world. The aircraft went on in this role until the end of the war arrived in 1945. Beyond the Germans, Swiss, and Spanish users mentioned there were also global operators to be found in Axis-aligned Hungary, the Independent State of Croatia, Axis-aligned Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, and Yugoslavia. The series operated actively into the 1960s such was its excellent design while some went on to hit the civilian racing / aerobatics circuits as well for their time aloft.
Bu 133 - Base Series Designation
Bu 133A - Fitted with Hirth HM6 inline pistol engine of 135 horsepower.
Bu 133B - Production model based on the Bu 133A; two examples completed.
Bu 133C - Definitive production model; fitted with Siemens Sh 14A-4 engine.
CASA 1.133 - Variant produced by CASA of Spain.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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Croatia; Hungary; Nazi Germany; Slovakia; South Africa; Spain; Swtizerland; Yugoslavia
