Beneš-Mráz Be-56 Beta-Major

The Beneš-Mráz Be-56 Beta-Major was a single-seat aerobatic advanced trainer manufactured in Czechoslovakia shortly before World War II.

Design and development
First flown in 1936, the Be-56 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane of wooden construction, with a single open cockpit and fixed tailwheel undercarriage. A two-seat version was produced as the Beneš-Mráz Be-52 Beta-Major, with tandem open cockpits

Variants

 * Be-52 Beta-Major: Two-seat aerobatic trainer derived from the Be-51, but powered by a Walter Major engine; one built.
 * Be-56 Beta-Major: Single-seat version of the Be-52; one built (OK-BEG).

Operational history
The sole Be-56, registered OK-BEG, was used by the Slovak Air Force after the German takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1939.

Operators

 * 🇸🇰 Slovakia
 * Slovak Air Force (1939–45)