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 Span14.33 feet
Length13.3 feet
Height4.20 feet
Empty Weight310 lbs
Gross Weight600 lbs
Useful Load290 lbs
Wing Area30.50 sq ft
Take off Distance550 ft
Landing Distance500 ft
MPG43
Max. Fuel Capacity28 gallons
EngineHirth 2 cylinder 55 hp
Max. Speed (sea level)239 mph