04/15/2018. Remarks by Walter van Tilborg: "The Beta was designed by the so-called Luton Group, which was formed to produce an entry for the Midget Racer Design Competition organized in 1964 by Norman Jones, a Director of the Rollason Aircraft and Engines Ltd. at Croydon, UK, and leader of the Tiger Club for sporting pilots. Members of the Luton Group were R.J. Sellars (team leader), R.F. Barton (stress), L.R. Jenkinson (design), P. Smith (aerodynamics) and G.F. Styles (aerodynamics), all of them design engineers with the British Aircraft Corporation.

The Beta design won the competition against 41 other entries. Development and construction was taken over by Rollason. The single-seat Beta was of mixed wood and steel tube construction covered with fabric and plywood. Between 1965 and 1971 Rollason built only four aircraft and the Beta was offered for amateur construction. Although 55 sets of drawings had been sold by early 1974, just three aircraft were completed, all in the UK. Four Betas are still active.

Beta B1. Initially designated Rollason-Luton Beta, this first aircraft was constructed by Rollason with a 65 hp Continental A65 engine. Registered G-ATLY (c/n RAE/01) on December 22, 1965, it first flew on April 21, 1967 and by September 1968 it had been modified to Beta B2 standard. While turning into the landing circuit at Nottingham Airport on September 29, 1973, it hit a de Havilland D.H.82A Tiger Moth (G-APVT c/n 3250) from behind. Both pilots and the passenger in the Tiger Moth were killed, both aircraft were destroyed.

Beta B2. Improved version with a 90 hp Continental C90-8F and with aerodynamic refinements. Rollason built one, registered G-AWHX (c/n RAE/04) on April 17, 1968 and brought up the sole Beta B1 to this standard. Tomas M. Jones of Chellaston built one, registered G-BETE (c/n PFA 002-10169) on April 26, 1977. It was first flown in 1980. Another was built by Colin A. Rolph of Storrington, registered G-BUPC (c/n PFA 002-12369) on October 29, 1992, this made its first flight in 1997.

Beta B2A. Similar to the Beta B2 but equipped with a cantilever (steel sprung) type landing gear. Rollason built two, G-AWHV (c/n RAE/02) registered April 17, 1968, destroyed by fire 1995, and G-AWHW also registered April 17, 1968, deregistered February 12, 1992. John J. Feeley of Ashford had one registered as G-BADC (c/n J.J.F. 1) on September 7, 1997. However, during construction it had been reregistered three timess before it was finished by Hector M. McKenzie of Shandwick in 1980, in the process the c/n had changed to PFA 002-10140. One Beta B2A was registered in the USA as N32LW (c/n 0032). Homebuilt project of a Mr. Wimer. It is very doubtful this aircraft was even completed.

Beta B4. Similar to the Beta B2A, but this would have an 100 hp RR/Continental O-200-SA engine, but this was not built."