Bd-5

[Admin]

Can anyone tell me about the BD-5 - I see some great images of one that a girl seems to fly at Hoxton Park:

 

Oz BD-5 Expo 2006

 

 

[Tomo]

They seem to have quite a few different variations...

 

The Jet one is pretty cool!

 

 

 

[wags]

There are quite a few variants Ian.

 

There is the BD-5B, the BD5-G and the BD-5 Microjet.

 

Here are a couple of links to get you started www.alturair.com - / Home of the BD-5 Aircraft

 

"Kitplanes" recently did a write up and test of one, I'll locate it and scan the article if I can find it.

 

 

[dazza 38]

I reckon she would been hard to handle. The plane i mean.

 

 

[dunlopdangler]

Jim Bede designed some pretty cool aeroplanes and the BD-10 was probably the most ambitious...however the most successful line was the kit-built that became the grumman singles:thumb_up:

 

 

[pylon500]

G'Day Ian.

 

That yellow BD-5 is now at Canberra, but I don't think it's ever flown?i_dunno

 

An earlier AUF member build one up as a 'BD-5J' (jet powered) and got the engine to run, but then sold it to the US.

 

I know of 3 finished airframes that were in WA, two that actually flew, one of which suffered an engine failure at takeoff and bellied in, catching fire and injuring the pilot.

 

Some good footage on

 

 

from Serpentine in WA prior to the crash.

 

In the 70's, the BD-5 was my favourite aircraft and eventually I managed to get most of a kit, a year later I got most of another kit, and a set of plans.

 

The BD-5 is too hot to fit into the ultralight category (even the long wing), and I have determined there are numerous little problems associated with the structure (not altogether fatal, but could have been done better)

 

Some time in the future when I'm really retired, I'm planning on reconfiguring the kits into something that will fit the 19-XXXX category, but that's a way off yet....

 

Arthur.

 

 

 

 

[wags]

Have Flight Test of BD-5.

 

I have a Flight Test done by a guy in an Australian aircraft and published in an American magazine, but I can't post it 'cause it's 1.3 Mb in size. If anyone wants a copy send me a message with your home email and I'll get it off to you. Very interesting article.

 

 

[dazza 38]

It looks like one of those aircraft, you strap on instead of sit in.