Beneš-Mráz Beta-Minor
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| Be-50 Beta-Minor | |
|---|---|
| Type | Sports plane |
| Manufacturer | Beneš-Mráz |
| Designed by | Pavel Beneš and Jaroslav Mráz |
| Maiden flight | 1935 |
The Beneš-Mráz Be-50 Beta-Minor was a light airplane manufactured in Czechoslovakia shortly before World War II. First flown in 1935, it was a low-wing cantilever monoplane of wooden construction, with tandem open cockpits and fixed tailwheel undercarriage. The aircraft proved popular with Czechoslovakia's aeroclubs and was successful in international competitions. In 1937, the designers created a modernised version, the Be-51, which featured a reduced wingspan and fully enclosed cockpits. A final variant, the Be-52 Beta-Major retained the Be-50's open cockpits but featured improved aerodynamics and a more powerful Walter Major engine.
Like other Czechoslovakian aircraft, all available machines were impressed into Air Force service at the outbreak of war. Several Be-51s survived to be used by the German Luftwaffe as liaison aircraft and trainers during the occupation.
[edit] Variants
- Be-50 Beta-Minor
- Be-51 Beta-Minor
- Be-52 Beta-Major
[edit] Specifications (Be-50)
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 7.76 m (25 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 12.16 m (39 ft 11 in)
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 16.3 m² (175 ft²)
- Empty weight: 460 kg (1,014 lb)
- Gross weight: 730 kg (1,609 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Walter Minor, 71 kW (95 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 195 km/h (121 mph)
- Range: 750 km (466 miles)
- Service ceiling: 5,200 m (17,060 ft)
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 152.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 890 Sheet 25.
- Němeček, V. (1968). Československá letadla. Praha: Naše Vojsko.
[edit] See also
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