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Morane-Saulnier MS. 502 Criquet F-BEJQ
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Morane-Saulnier MS. 502 Criquet F-BEJQ
Morane-Saulnier MS.502 Criquet F-BEJQ (msn 670), equipped as a banner tug. This aircraft was used as a launch platform for Birdman Leo Valentin. He was killed near Liverpool (Speke) on 20 May 1956 when a wing was damaged as he left the aircraft. Date: circa 1960
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Media ID 21133697
© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans A The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans
1956 Banner Birdman Criquet Damaged Equipped Killed Liverpool Morane Saulnier Platform Speke This Valentin Wing
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This photograph showcases the Morane-Saulnier MS.502 Criquet aircraft with the registration number F-BEJQ (msn 670), specifically designed and equipped as a banner tug. The MS.502 Criquet, a French-built aeroplane, gained notoriety for its role as a launch platform for the daring aviator Leo Valentin. Known as "Birdman," Valentin performed death-defying feats by jumping from great heights while attached to a parasail or wingsuit, which he would deploy after leaving the aircraft. The image captures the MS.502 Criquet in its distinctive configuration, with a long tow rope trailing behind, ready to deploy for Valentin's next daring leap. However, tragedy struck on 20 May 1956, near Liverpool's Speke airport, when Valentin's wing was damaged upon exiting the aircraft. Fatefully, he did not survive the incident. This photograph, taken circa 1960, offers a glimpse into the aeronautical world of the past, where courage, innovation, and the spirit of adventure were at the forefront. The Morane-Saulnier MS.502 Criquet, with its rich history and association with the daring exploits of Leo Valentin, remains an intriguing piece of aviation history.
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