Beneš-Mráz Be-51 Beta-Minor

Beneš-Mráz · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1937 · light aircraft

The Beneš-Mráz Be-51 Beta-Minor was a Czechoslovak two-seat light aircraft first flown in 1937, designed as an economical touring and training monoplane. It was a refined development within the Beta family of Czech light aircraft.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.76 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Small Czech low-wing monoplane with side-by-side seating
Inverted inline engine with neat close-fitting cowling
Fixed spatted undercarriage and tapered wing

Identified by its slim low-wing layout, tapered wings, spatted undercarriage, and the characteristic Beneš-Mráz clean fuselage lines; smaller and lighter than the contemporary Be-250.

Specifications

The Beneš-Mráz Be-51 Beta-Minor has a length of 7.76 m (25 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.44 m (38 ft).
Its maximum speed is 200 km/h (124 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Beneš-Mráz produced the Beta-Minor as part of their Beta series of light touring aircraft. The type was well regarded for its handling and economy, and entered service with Czech aero clubs shortly before the German occupation brought production to a halt in 1939.

Variants

The Beta-Minor was part of a family that included the larger Beta-Major; both shared a common design philosophy.

Where you'll see it

Operated by Czech aero clubs and private owners in the late 1930s until the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.