Does anyone fancy a Bücker Bü-181 Bestmann (Gomhouria) ??

[aerovet]

There are still some for sale!
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/t ... to-germany

[marine air]

Would love to buy one. Condition of the wood would be a huge factor. They look nice.

[Chris Brame]

Neat little plane. Just stay out of the trees!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbU7f1rv3dY

[OD/NG]

What a cool little aircraft. I don't know much about the Bu-181 series and its post-war derivatives. Does anyone know how much a flying variant is going for these days? What about a Gomhouria project - what would be an estimate on the price range?

[marine air]

Well, the Bucker Jungmann and Jungmeister designs are really nice so one would think this one would be even more delightful to fly. The others have tiny cockpits and this one may have a little more room and i more pleasant seating. Also has an American engine which is nice.

[Cvairwerks]

Would love to buy one. Condition of the wood would be a huge factor. They look nice.

Wouldn't worry about the wood too much, easier to redo than crunched sheet metal.

The listing I saw said something about prices starting at 20K USD.....

[RyanShort1]

Would love to buy one. Condition of the wood would be a huge factor. They look nice.

Wouldn't worry about the wood too much, easier to redo than crunched sheet metal.

The listing I saw said something about prices starting at 20K USD.....

And probably double that to have one shipped here and reassembled? I'd be game to fly one if it was local!

[OD/NG]

Would love to buy one. Condition of the wood would be a huge factor. They look nice.

Wouldn't worry about the wood too much, easier to redo than crunched sheet metal.

The listing I saw said something about prices starting at 20K USD.....

And probably double that to have one shipped here and reassembled? I'd be game to fly one if it was local!

Yep, and therein lies the problem. I would love to have one, but I don't think it would be practical to ship it over and then restore/reassemble it. I'm guessing for the same cost, including restoration/IRAN/reassembly, you could probably buy an already airworthy Bu-181 variant somewhere in the States.

[JohnB]

Seems like there is a lot of wood (wings and aft fuselage according to Wiki) ..not sure if I would be brave enough to buy one sight unseen.
On top of that, you have a center section made out of steel tubing which might harbor corrosion.
Then, even if it has a supportable engine and prop, you might not have any idea where important items like wheels and brakes came from or what would be adequate replacements (wheels and brakes are a big issue with many antiques....even many more common types. Many times different parts need to be adapted due to either no supplies of the originals or they were inadequate to begin with).

Then, you might need new instruments, and obviously modern radios .

Are there Logs and manuals included, if so in what language?

They sound like fun, but remember, buying, restoring and operating one won't be like owning a Cessna or fabric Piper with plenty of parts vendors and club support.

And the owners of old Cessnas might tell you they aren't necessarily easy to restore either!

As previously mentioned, Bucker Jungmanns and Jungmeisters have a great reputation and are sought after (a friend owns a Jungmann with a modern engine), but I don't know if these have the same desirability to make importing and restoring one a economically viable proposition.

But if you want to round out your German warbird collection, go for it.

BTW...remember the one in "The Great Escape"?