Pomeranian Puppies: Beagle Puppies

Monday, 10 September 2012

Beagle Puppies

The Beagle B.121 Pup is a 1960s British 2-4 seat single-engined training and touring aircraft built by Beagle Aircraft Limited at Shoreham Airport and Rearsby Aerodrome.The first delivery was to the Shoreham Flying School on 12 April 1968. The aircraft was popular and sold to flying clubs and private users worldwide. A Series 3 variant, a four-seater, was developed for the Iranian Civil Air Training Organisation. By 1969 production had increased at Shoreham to one Pup a day, aircraft were flown to either Rearsby Aerodrome or Cambridge Airport for painting and finishing. One aircraft was evaluated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1969, but was not ordered. Deliveries were made to civilian operators in several countries including Australia, Sweden and Switzerland. In December 1969 the government withdrew financial support for Beagle and the company was placed in receivership. Over 250 Pups were on order but production ceased with the 152nd aircraft. Some remaining nearly completed aircraft were finished at a variety of locations, the last being completed G-BCGV (s/n B121-176) was first registered 17 June 1974.