Beneš Mráz Bibi

Design and development

The Bibi was designed and manufactured by Beneš-Mráz, developed from the Beta-Minor design. The Bibi was a lighter, smaller aircraft in which the seats were side-by-side instead of in tandem, and the cockpits were fully enclosed, retaining the Beta-Minor's cantilever low-wing cantilever monoplane layout, with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. Development of the Bibi began with the Be-501 two-seat cabin tourer, and culminated with the Be-555 Super Bibi.

Operational history

One example of the Be-550 Bibi (OK-BET) was imported into the United Kingdom, stored during World War II, then registered as G-AGSR until a fatal crash in 1951.

Variants

Be-501 Bibi

Single seat, initial development aircraft for the Bibi cabin tourer.

Be-502 Bibi

Single seat development prototype for the Bibi series.

Be-550 Bibi

Initial production version introduced in 1936, with at least six built, including single exports to Egypt and the UK.

Be-555 Super Bibi

The final iteration of the Bibi with many improvements. Production continued after the start of WWII, with at least ten built.

Specifications

General characteristics

Crew: one pilot

Capacity: 1 passenger

Length: 7.15 m (23 ft 5 in)

Wingspan: 11.50 m (37 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 14.0 m² (151 ft²)

Empty weight: 340 kg (529 lb)

Gross weight: 560 kg (1,235 lb)

Powerplant: 1 × Walter Mikron inverted air-cooled inline piston engine, 48 kW (65 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 195 km/h (122 mph)

Range: 700 km (436 miles)

Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,120 ft)