Benes-Mraz Be550 Bibi G-AGSR

Oh, the thought of you down on that cold tiled floor, Martin, just to take that photograph! In case it helps, here’s another copy of that page which might be more easy to read online.

However I don’t think that either of those photographs were taken at Wilmington. So my search continues!

Yes, I am aware of the ‘Flight’ report but I believe that I’ve seen a ‘side on’ photograph of the Bibi at Wilmington and if that belief is correct, I cannot think that this was anywhere other than in ‘The Aeroplane’. But there’s always the possibility that my belief is incorrect!

Les Ailes N°928 , 30/3/1939 ???

edit: delete image – a better one at #45

PLANE CRASH
Palestine Post Reporter
NATHANYA, Saturday.— Two men were killed when a private Czech-made “Bi-Bi” single – engined plane, belonging to Mr. Z. Levinson, co-owner of the “Michsah” silverware plant, crashed near Beit Itzhak smallholders settlement shortly after noon today. The victims were Mr. Levinson, who piloted the aircraft, and his friend, Mr. Ernst Mendelson a BOAC engineer who took the flight while off duty.
The plant took off from Lydda Airport before noon and turned towards Beit Itzhak, 25 kilometres away. Mendelson had informed his brother, Walter, a settler there, that he would be flying over.
The plane cruised over the houses, and settlers came out of their homes waving. When the plane was in a steep bank and flying low, its engine stop-ped suddenly.
The machine was then seen to rise to about 50 metres, and then crashed to the earth between the village well and central stores. Both men were thrown out of the plane, Mr. Mendelson being killed instantly, Mr. Levison died shortly afterwards.

Yes, I am aware of the ‘Flight’ report but I believe that I’ve seen a ‘side on’ photograph of the Bibi at Wilmington and if that belief is correct, I cannot think that this was anywhere other than in ‘The Aeroplane’. But there’s always the possibility that my belief is incorrect!

…..and three and a half years later, still I haven’t found it! But what I have found is an extract from ‘The Aeroplane’ of 16 August 1939, page 232 of which reports on the annual show of the Eastbourne Flying Club and mentions that: ‘The display began with copious demonstrations. Mr. A. Munro flew the Tipsy well, but remotely, and was followed by Mr. Pickard in the Czech Bibi 556, which also has the 60 h.p. Mikron motor’. Maybe that is where I saw the photograph? If so, I don’t have a copy of that issue. Does anyone out there have it?

try to look here:
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939-1-%20-%200538.html

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939-1-%20-%200539.html

The pics quality is rather poor but yes there is the Bibi on the 2nd page.

I’m still trying to find a photo of the Bibi which put in an appearance at one of the Eastbourne Flying Club displays at Wilmington in, I think, 1937 or 38.

…..and three and a half years later, still I haven’t found it! But what I have found is an extract from ‘The Aeroplane’ of 16 August 1939, page 232 of which reports on the annual show of the Eastbourne Flying Club and mentions that: ‘The display began with copious demonstrations. Mr. A. Munro flew the Tipsy well, but remotely, and was followed by Mr. Pickard in the Czech Bibi 556, which also has the 60 h.p. Mikron motor’. Maybe that is where I saw the photograph? If so, I don’t have a copy of that issue. Does anyone out there have it?

one more crash

I consider building a replica, so I am interested in accidents details.
From 9 airplanes built at least 3 ended up by a crash, 2 of them fatal, the remaining one compleetly destroyed. This is not very encouraging statistics.

I would like to know more details about the following accident in former Palestina:

A Be.550 Bebe (VQ-PAQ) was obtained by Aviron in 1945, but sold to a private owner in 1947. This machine crashed at Be’erot Itschak on 29 November 1947, killing it’s pilot/owner, and so was unavailable for impressment by the Sherut Avir.

If anyone knows where to look or ask, please let me know.

Thank you, Jan. It comes to something when a report from a UK (?) local newspaper has to be sourced and posted via the Czech Republic!

What is interesting about the newspaper report is that it strongly indicates that there was an AAIB investigation into the accident (viz. the reference to Mr Clifton) and so, presumably, there would have been a report. But if the AIB don’t have it and its not at the NA, what has become of it?

A local newspaper info:

Czech plane crashed on test flight

Shottesbrooke accident

THE Czechoslovakian two-seater plane which crashed near Shottesbrooke Church on October 25, was on its test flight for the renewal of a certificate of airworthiness, it was stated at an inquest at Windsor on Thursday last week.
A jury returned a verdict that Michael Chorlton, the 37-year-old film director pilot, and his passenger, Tom Manley, aged 24, died by misadventure.
Ten days before the accident the plane made a forced landing at White Waltham when the engine cut out because of fuel starvation, it was said.
Mr. Frederick Clifton, senior investigating officer for the Ministry of Civil Aviation found that the sealing washer on the fuel filter was displaced. If this had happened in flight the petrol pumps would have failed, he said. One of the witnesses of the accident, Mr. Albert Bye, a cowman, of Butcherslane, Shottesbrooke, thought the little blue plane he had seen overhead was a glider. Then there was a whistling sound and, it began to spin towards the ground, eventually crashing a few yards from him behind some trees.

Following on from the good doctor’s helpful suggestions, my experience is that there is not much by way of online newspaper archives in the UK which are accessible without paying. However some of those archives which are ‘pay to view’ online, from an individual’s PC, are ‘free to view’ online if accessed through a terminal in a public library. Also the Berkshire Record Office may be a good source for microfiche copies of local newspapers. I’ve no experience of the office but if it is comparable to the East Sussex Records office, of which I do have experience, you may find that it has the most comprehensive collection.

But now what about my question concerning the M.1 Sokol – which is precisely the beast which Banupa has kindly illustrated. Maybe this is something of which Pavel has knowledge?

Following on from the good doctor’s helpful suggestions, my experience is that there is not much by way of online newspaper archives in the UK which are accessible without paying. However some of those archives which are ‘pay to view’ online, from an individual’s PC, are ‘free to view’ online if accessed through a terminal in a public library. Also the Berkshire Record Office may be a good source for microfiche copies of local newspapers. I’ve no experience of the office but if it is comparable to the East Sussex Records office, of which I do have experience, you may find that it has the most comprehensive collection.

But now what about my question concerning the M.1 Sokol – which is precisely the beast which Banupa has kindly illustrated. Maybe this is something of which Pavel has knowledge?

Earlier in this thread mention was made of post-war M.1 Sokol. Does anyone know if plans for the construction of the Sokol – in particular, the M.1D – either were or are available for home construction or are all the Sokols extant today factory produced examples? I thought it sensible to ask the question here first. But if no-one subscribed to or reading this thread knows the answer, then I’ll open a new thread in order to ask the question of a potentially wider audience.

Like this you mean?

Earlier in this thread mention was made of post-war M.1 Sokol. Does anyone know if plans for the construction of the Sokol – in particular, the M.1D – either were or are available for home construction or are all the Sokols extant today factory produced examples? I thought it sensible to ask the question here first. But if no-one subscribed to or reading this thread knows the answer, then I’ll open a new thread in order to ask the question of a potentially wider audience.

Like this you mean?

Benes-Mraz Be550 Bibi G-AGSR

Dr John – Many thanks. I was just trying to get some more detail on the crash itself. Back to pestering the AAIB by the look of it.

OG

Only other useful suggestion I can make is to check the local newspapers for the area covered by White Waltham – that is the local papers for Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead – for around the date of the crash or a few days after.

Since it was a fatal crash, it probably was reported in the local press. There would have been an inquest, and possibly the Coroner’s report and verdict would have made it into the local press.

These papers are possibly on line, but, if not, should be on microfilm in Slough or Maidenhead public library. There is also, as touched on above, the related Coroner’s report into the death of the pilot. That should still exist in the archives for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. If it does, there may well be eyewitness reports into the crash contained therein.

Your best bet would be the local history section. Start with http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/libraries_local_history.htm and/or the contact email at: [email]maidenhead.library@rbwm.gov.uk[/email] or telephone Chris Atkins on 01628 796974.

Benes-Mraz Be550 Bibi G-AGSR

Dr John – Many thanks. I was just trying to get some more detail on the crash itself. Back to pestering the AAIB by the look of it.

OG

Only other useful suggestion I can make is to check the local newspapers for the area covered by White Waltham – that is the local papers for Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead – for around the date of the crash or a few days after.

Since it was a fatal crash, it probably was reported in the local press. There would have been an inquest, and possibly the Coroner’s report and verdict would have made it into the local press.

These papers are possibly on line, but, if not, should be on microfilm in Slough or Maidenhead public library. There is also, as touched on above, the related Coroner’s report into the death of the pilot. That should still exist in the archives for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. If it does, there may well be eyewitness reports into the crash contained therein.

Your best bet would be the local history section. Start with http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/libraries_local_history.htm and/or the contact email at: [email]maidenhead.library@rbwm.gov.uk[/email] or telephone Chris Atkins on 01628 796974.

M.1 Sokol

Earlier in this thread mention was made of post-war M.1 Sokol. Does anyone know if plans for the construction of the Sokol – in particular, the M.1D – either were or are available for home construction or are all the Sokols extant today factory produced examples? I thought it sensible to ask the question here first. But if no-one subscribed to or reading this thread knows the answer, then I’ll open a new thread in order to ask the question of a potentially wider audience.

M.1 Sokol

Earlier in this thread mention was made of post-war M.1 Sokol. Does anyone know if plans for the construction of the Sokol – in particular, the M.1D – either were or are available for home construction or are all the Sokols extant today factory produced examples? I thought it sensible to ask the question here first. But if no-one subscribed to or reading this thread knows the answer, then I’ll open a new thread in order to ask the question of a potentially wider audience.

If pestering the AAIB, Old Git, produces the same result as when I’ve done so, my advice to you is – don’t bother, you’ll just be wasting your time. The AAIB doesn’t seem to have an archive – well, at least one going back as far as 1951 – or to know what has become of its historical reports and where they now might be. So if the G-AGSR accident report is not at Kew, only serendipity is likely to produce it!

Dr John – Many thanks. I was just trying to get some more detail on the crash itself. Back to pestering the AAIB by the look of it.

OG

Benes-Mraz Be550 Bibi G-AGSR

Is this of any help? Copy of the registration document for G-AGSR: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/HistoricalMaterial/G-AGSR.pdf

and the wikipedia entry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bene%C5%A1-Mr%C3%A1z_Bibi makes specific reference to G-AGSR

and this: “The Czechoslovak manufacturer Beneö-Mr·z produced a series of light side-by-side two-seater “tourist” aircraft in the 1930’s. The design and manufacture was undertaken at Choceň by Pavel Beneö and Jaroslav Mraz.

The first of the “Bibi” series was the Be-501 in 1936. This was followed, later in 1936, by the Be-550, which was a much more streamlined machine.

Following further development a much modified and more powerful version, the Be-555 “Superbibi”, was introduced in 1938. WWII must have seen the closure of this small aircraft company

OK-BET, was registered on September 22nd, 1937 (CofR #685) and removed from the Czech register on January 10th, 1940. OK-BET was used as a racer and won the Czechoslovak National Flight in 1937. Bearing race number “53” she finished 9th in the Small Treaty Race the next year, outclassed by much more powerful military planes. Was then sold to UK on January 10th 1940 but remained crated till the end of the war. Then flew until destroyed in fatal crash at White Waltham (UK) 25 October 1951.”

source http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/G-AGSR.html and http://www.ipmsairrace.org/30bibi.pdf

And http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/o/1755/9_o/0 has a small picture of G-AGSR (right hand side – click to enlarge). Was it really a cream or pale yellow overall?

Also three view general arrangement drawing at http://richard.ferriere.free.fr/3vues/benes_bibi_3v.jpg