Mráz Bonzo

The Mráz M-3 Bonzo was a light aircraft built in Czechoslovakia in 1948 as a further development in the family of light aircraft that had commenced with the M-1 Sokol. The Bonzo was based on the Sokol airframe, but with a redesigned wing and substantial changes to the fuselage. These included lengthening it to allow for the addition of a fourth seat, reducing the height of the rear fuselage to allow for a new cabin with all-around visibility, and the addition of a semi-retractable nosewheel in place of a tailwheel.

M-3 Bonzo
Role Utility aircraft
National origin Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer Mráz
Designer Zdeněk Rublič
First flight April 1948
Number built 1

Funding for the construction of two prototypes was not approved by the Department of Transport, but designer Rublič was able to raise the money elsewhere to build one prototype, which flew in April 1948. It was hoped that production could begin in 1950, and the Bonzo was exhibited at the 1949 Paris Air Show. No sales resulted, however, and the prototype was flown for a while by the Institute of Cartography in Bratislava before being handed over for aeroclub use in 1952.

In 1961, the Bonzo was flown to set a number of national speed records, but was withdrawn from use soon afterwards.


Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 3 passengers
  • Length: 7.72 m (25 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.60 m (34 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 15.9 m2 (171 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 580 kg (1,279 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 165 L (36 imp gal; 44 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Walter Minor 6-III air-cooled six-cylinder inverted inline engine, 120 kW (160 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 266 km/h (165 mph, 144 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
  • Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 3.0 m/s (590 ft/min)

References
  1. Bridgman 1951, p. 111c.
  • Bridgman, Leonard (1951). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.
  • Němeček, Václav (1968). Československá letadla. Prague: Naše Vojsko.
  • Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 571.


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