Hello, Waldemar! I collaborate with an ag aviation magazine, AgAir Update - www.agairupdate.com - and I would like to write an article about how it was to fly the Belphegor. Could I talk to this Polish crop duster who is a friend of yours? Can he read and write in English? Thanks, Ernesto.
Jim Bowerman, e-mail, 07.01.2011 18:17
There is one of these mounted on a stand at a grass airport just outside of Szolnok, Hungary.
Waldemar, e-mail, 05.02.2010 05:52
Behind the official agricultural use of this M-15 was plane capable to be used during chemical warfare. At that time Russian didn't care how much fuel plane would burn. They were giving that crazy ideas such as M-15 to Polish engineers to keep them busy and steer away from production of M-18 Dromader and other good independent ideas. I'm not sure how many were build, I was flying one time on a glider cross country flight and have seen well over 30 at the Mielec Airport ready to be shipped to Russia. If I go back to my log book, I may recover the date of that flight over Mielec (I thing it was Sept. 1999) That was the time when Moscow was telling the PZL factories what they can or can not do do. A friend of mine, Polish born crop duster pilot who flown those planes, may have a first hand and very interested stories on the subject.
Episofique, e-mail, 11.03.2009 14:01
3000 were ordered, but the soviets changed their mind. Only 750 have been made for Russia. It was too expensive to maintain they gave the jets to Hungary, and others satellite Soviet Republics.
kalrin, 17.05.2008 16:33
onl;y in cracow you say.... ha i saw one in hungary and in russia so i think you have no idea what you are talking about
tiptop, e-mail, 06.05.2008 16:10
The plane was only a prototype. There was no production. If You'd like to see that airplane , come to Cracow. The only prototype is in Polish Aircraft Museum.
Sgt., 19.02.2008 00:02
A jet powered biplane????? Isnīt the engine too powerful,enough to crack the wings?
Reg Saretsky, e-mail, 06.02.2008 03:14
Actually, in Soviet Bloc three seat cockpit allows collective farm boss & political advisor to ride with ag pilot. Hmmm- maybe a Forest fire fighting special ?...
wolf, e-mail, 19.10.2007 21:04
Chuck, go see Transavia/australia and if you can coment on Belphegor....
Chuck, e-mail, 22.09.2007 07:19
Hello, friends: This is indeed the strangest, aircraft-like flying machine I've ever heard of and seen. Are there more larger photos of it, its details, its cockpit and the like. I'd like to know this rare thing in detail. Seems incredible that it can fly. Should you have the material I've requested make it available for me as soon as you get it, please. I will very highly appreciate your effort. Yours faithfully, Chuck
Gerd Naydock, e-mail, 29.08.2007 03:28
A jet-powered biplane as well as cropduster? Now I've seen it all. I wonder what the thinking was behind using this as a powerplant given lack of fuel economy. Fairly slow maximum speed to boot for a jet aircraft. I presume that the large container-looking structures inward from the struts must be chemical storage tanks. Unbelievable.
