Author Topic: Pics of my BD-5 project! Its coming along (Read 634 times)

LePaul · « **on:** April 03, 2002, 09:05:24 PM »

I was gonna chuck it, but upon re-thinking it all over, I wanna make it happen!

I spent this evening cleaning the airframe up, and in a few weeks, I hope to have the gentleman over from Oregon who will inspect the airframe/project. If he likes what he sees, he can quote me the costs for him (and his company) to finish it for me. We're talking about making this powered by a turboprop engine (jet too expensive, reciprocating engine requires a lot of dragging additions like inlets and scoops for cooling) We're talking about a kit that was made 25 years ago, incorporating many years worth of improvements, mods, etc...the cockpit will resemble an F16...glass cockpit, etc

Here's a few shots...

(I took the nose gear door, wings and elevators off again...too much of a hassle tripping over them while cleaning)

(Took the engine door off so I could cleanup the inside)

(Not exactly a HellCat cockpit, it is?)

(All those instruments are coming out! Note the sidestick controller on the right. Plan on replacing those with military sticks...think Thrustmaster Cougar and then some!)

(I like this shot. Measurements? Height, 70 inches, length, 14ft. Wheels....4 inch diameter

)

Plenty of room for HTC logos!

Hangtime · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2002, 09:40:37 PM »

Nice!

You'll be one brave mo-fo, climbing into that thing for it's first flight..

WE SALUTE YOU!

Nash · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2002, 09:56:39 PM »

You, LePaul, are out of your freaking mind.

Animal · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2002, 10:09:13 PM »

I sure as heck wouldnt fly that thing on its first flight!

streakeagle · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2002, 10:21:03 PM »

Forget the turboprop... make the sacrifice, do whatever it takes...

Jet noise, the sound of freedom!

Voss · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2002, 10:26:58 PM »

Brave isn't the word for it.

Uh, LePaul, you do know the 25yr. old nickname for this thing, don't you?

I still have an original Jim Bede business card.

Wardog · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2002, 10:30:49 PM »

Turbo prop works fine.......

Ill fly it 1st time up if no one else will

Heres a link for a site that sells kits. http://www.bd-micro.com/FLS5T.HTM

Dog out.............

LePaul · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2002, 12:14:15 AM »

BD-Micro is the company that I am working with the finish it

Animal, I thought you quit again? What's that, a Baker's Dozen?

Zigrat · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2002, 01:35:22 AM »

why the hell does a turboprop cost more money. a turboprop is just a turbojet with a gearbox (equals money) and a propeller (equals money)

now why you would want to put a turbojet on an airplane like this is beyond me (jets suck below 300 mph) but hey ..

Mathman · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2002, 04:39:14 AM »

Perk it!

Gunthr · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2002, 07:53:07 AM »

Glad to hear about this, LePaul.

Sounds like it could be finished fairly soon!

I'm looking forward to hearing about how that little bird handles. Its going to be a bit hot on landing, isn't it?

Ripsnort · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2002, 07:59:22 AM »

Cool BD, glad to hear you found new love for it once again, don't forget my suggestions, a pair of .303's in the nose, makes deer hunting that much easier!

Yeager · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2002, 08:12:40 AM »

Youll shoot your eye out!

Kieran · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2002, 10:09:27 AM »

While it'll make an excellent point defense fighter, I doubt it will have the range to be usable for anything else. Careful of the landings, that T-stoff and C-stoff is mighty nasty if it mixes at an inopportune time and place... btw, what is the glide ratio for that bird?

LePaul · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2002, 10:14:17 AM »

Few replies...

Mathman: LOL! Great retort!

Ripsnort: Just 303s? We were thinking hardpoints!

Zigrat: The problem with a jet engine for an airplane like this is that very few will do the job. The MicroTurbo's most use are modified APUs that put out 300 pounds of thrust. The catch is that the engines require a lot of upkeep and service, and not just any place can service them. Furhter, if they catch on that the engine is for a BD-5, thanks to the legal system, they wont touch em fearing liability. The Quantum turbo prop system is a rebuilt, heavily modified Solar Turbine (not sure which). The beauty of it is that you do not need P51 style scoops, heavy radiators or intake scoops that penalize you in the regard of drag. You have the smooth operation of a turbine, with all the benefits of operating a prop.

Gunthr: No ETA yet, just revitalizig my interest in it. I have many times I sit back and draw out all the things I have to do to get the plane up to snuff, and me up to speed with high perfromance flying again, parachuting (just in case!) and then the associated paperwork for everything to be legal.