Filper Beta 400A, N5005F / 0005, Filper Research Corp.
This picture is © Jay Sherlock Collection and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: N5005F
Construction Number: 0005
Model Filper Beta 400A
Operator: Filper Research Corp.
Airport: Livermore Municipal (LVK / KLVK), USA - California
Photographer: Jay Sherlock Collection
Date Taken: 09/1967
Date Submitted: 28/10/2023
The only Filper Beta 400A ever built, seen here without the rotors installed. During a test flight on 27 November 1967 the rotor system failed and the aircraft broke up in flight, resulting in the death of the pilot. Photo by John Stewart. Comments from a correspondent - Filper reserved 32 registrations for expected use in future production, but only three aircraft were actually registered and flown: one model 100A (N5001F) as a proof-of-concept vehicle. one model 200A (N5000F) and one model 400A (N5005F). After the 400A crashed all flying ceased. When the company shut down 3-5 (no definitive number is available) incomplete airframes were abandoned, but none were ever registered. All of the remaining reserved registrations eventually expired. The myth of 32 registered aircraft continues to live on in many places on the Internet.
Picture ID:1863333