The BD-5 Sport Plane was designed by Jim Bede, assisted by Bert Rutan, in the early 1970’s. It was an experimental homebuilt kit, single seat high performance aircraft. It is a low wing pusher propeller configuration. Design features include all-metal construction, mechanical retractable landing gear, detachable wings, and wrist action side stick control as used in modern day fighter aircraft. The kit cost $2,599.00 and came with a Hurth two-cylinder, 650 cc, air-cooled, 55 horsepower engine. It could reach an airspeed of 239 mph. It was designed for daytime visual flight requirements (VFR) for use in sport/recreational flying. A jet propelled model, the BD-5J, was also sold, powered by a Sermel TRS-18-046 turbojet engine developing 225 pounds of thrust and an airspeed of 300 mph.
The Western Museum of Flight restored this aircraft and painted it like the BD-5J (turbojet) which flew in the James Bond movie “Octapussy”
BD-5 Specifications
Wing Span | 14.33 feet |
Length | 13.3 feet |
Height | 4.20 feet |
Empty Weight | 310 lbs |
Gross Weight | 600 lbs |
Useful Load | 290 lbs |
Wing Area | 30.50 sq ft |
Take off Distance | 550 ft |
Landing Distance | 500 ft |
MPG | 43 |
Max. Fuel Capacity | 28 gallons |
Engine | Hirth 2 cylinder 55 hp |
Max. Speed (sea level) | 239 mph |