Beneš-Mráz Be-50 Beta-Minor

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 12.66 m (41.5 ft) span wings.
Be-51 Beta-Minor: tandem seats in an enclosed cabin and 11.44 m (37.5 ft) span wings.
Be-52 Beta-Major: Strengthened and more powerful two-seat aerobatic trainer, with 10.66 m (35.0 ft) span wings.
Be-56 Beta-Major: Strengthened and more powerful single-seat aerobatic trainer, with 10.66 m (35.0 ft) span wings.

Operators

Independent State of Croatia

Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia

Germany

Luftwaffe

Slovakia

Slovak Air Force (1939–45)

Specifications (Be-51 Beta-Minor)

Data from ^[3]

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 7.76 m (25 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 11.44 m (37 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 15.3 m² (165 sq ft)
Empty weight: 480 kg (1,058 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 760 kg (1,676 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Walter Minor 4-cyl. inverted air-cooled in-line piston engine, 71 kW (95 hp) for take-off
Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 205 km/h (127 mph, 111 kn) at sea level
Cruise speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)
Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi)
Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 6 minutes

Notes

^ Ketley, Barry, and Rolfe, Mark. Luftwaffe Fledglings 1935–1945: Luftwaffe Training Units and their Aircraft (Aldershot, GB: Hikoki Publications, 1996), p.11.
^ Na Prachaticku spadlo unikátní letadlo Be 50 Beta Minor, pilot zemřel – iDNES.cz
^ Green, William (2010). Aircraft of the Third Reich (1st ed.). London: Aerospace Publishing Limited. p. 105. ISBN 978-1-900732-06-2.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Be-50 Beta-Minor.

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