Beneš-Mráz Be-50 Beta-Minor Explained

The Beneš-Mráz Be-50 Beta-Minor was a light airplane manufactured in Czechoslovakia shortly before World War II.

Design and development

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.

Operational history

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 Luftwaffe as liaison aircraft and trainers during the occupation.^[1]

In 2015, replica of Be-50 started operating. It crashed at airshow in August 2018, killing its pilot. ^[2]

Variants

Be-50 Beta-Minor:Tandem open cockpits and span wings.

Be-51 Beta-Minor:tandem seats in an enclosed cabin and span wings.

Be-52 Beta-Major

Strengthened and more powerful two-seat aerobatic trainer, with span wings.

Be-56 Beta-Major

Strengthened and more powerful single-seat aerobatic trainer, with span wings.

Operators

• Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia

Germany

• Luftwaffe

Slovakia

• Slovak Air Force (1939–45)

References

• Book: Taylor, Michael J. H. . Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation . 1989 . Studio Editions . London . 152 .
• Book: World Aircraft Information Files . Bright Star Publishing. London . File 890 Sheet 25 .
• Němeček, V. (1968). Československá letadla. Praha: Naše Vojsko.
• Book: Green, William. Aircraft of the Third Reich. Aerospace Publishing Limited. London. 2010. 1st. 105. 978-1-900732-06-2.

Notes and References

1. Ketley, Barry, and Rolfe, Mark. Luftwaffe Fledglings 1935–1945: Luftwaffe Training Units and their Aircraft (Aldershot, GB: Hikoki Publications, 1996), p.11.
2. https://zpravy.idnes.cz/prachatice-letecky-den-nehoda-letectvi-historicky-letoun-pm4-/domaci.aspx?c=A180811_151054_domaci_linv Na Prachaticku spadlo unikátní letadlo Be 50 Beta Minor, pilot zemřel – iDNES.cz

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