My new Bede-5

[ryand]

First off, it's great to be back!I used to post here under an old alias that I made when I was a bit younger.

After a change of career/training from being a pilot, I am now at Woodbourne/NMIT doing aeronautical maintenance engineering.

I've always wanted a Bede-5 and after missing out on the last kit, i bought this one. After purchasing I found out there is a lot of Bede knowledge around here which was a great bonus. I hope to have some pictures up shortly of my new project in her current state

Ryan

[shorty]

Tony Kenworthy (ex NATS F 27 driver, not to be confused with the one with the same name known as "Lardy" who was engineering management at ANZ) not only had some BD-5s at Wigram in the early 80s but he also had a list of the disposition of every BD-5 kit that came to NZ

[Dave Homewood]

I'm really looking forward to the photos Ryan, and it's great to have you back.

Now all you need is a Range Rover and horse float to transport it (as in Moonraker).

[Dave Homewood]

Come on Ryan, we want to see photos please!!

[camtech]

I can remember Tony Kenworthy's Bede-5's parked in the NATTS hangar - in fact we had to keep shifting them as they seemed to breed as he collected bits and worked on them. Tiny aircraft but well built.

[Dave Homewood]

I never saw the Bede hiding in that hangar but Phil Murray had his Midget Mustang stored there while I was working in No. 6 Hangar.

[ryand]

Haha sorry im taking my time Dave, shes hard to get to at the moment. Its all in pieces, im currently working on the elevators and rudder after Uni to get them ready for primer. then after that it will be onto the wings which require some decent work that ill detail here as I go.

Sorry again for the delay but time seems short after finishing up at Woodbourne..
Good things take time

[Dave Homewood]

No worries mate.

[ryand]

Pictures of the elevators- slowly getting them ready for primer. rest of the control surfaces are primered and ready to go. Next on the agender are the wings which are up in the attic at the moment

Attachments:

[Dave Homewood]

Cool. What sort of engine does it have Ryan?

[ryand]

None at the moment Dave. Im going over options with my instructors at the moment, but the common 2 stroke options are out the window. Too many crashes caused with 2 stroke related issues(put simply).. A common option in the states is a Turbo honda engine. Im not too keen on this. My instructor has chosen a Nissan March twin charge engine which I am considering, although at the moment a Suzuki GSR600 engine is looking quite good, 4 stroke,98bhp,weighs bugger all and is reliable. Many things to consider whern modifying bike engines to AC engines though. I will look seriously into this once the wings are assembled

[Dave Homewood]

Does the school have a spare Iroquois engine? Make it into a BD-5J ;D

[ryand]

hmmm theres a few J52s sitting around..

[hardyakka]

I agree that motorcycle engines themselves are very reliable. In aircraft installations it is usually the propeller reduction gearbox that gives the trouble.

I've always admired the BD-5 and have watched the BD-5J display flown at Oshkosh and felt green with envy at the speed and agility of the Microjet.

Being a big fat b'stard, I have always felt that it is not really the plane for me, but I look forward to following your progress, Ryan.

If you should happen to win Lotto, take a gander at www.desertaerospace.com/turbines.html...

[Bruce]

The real tricky bit with BD-5s is the shaft drive from the engine. It is very prone to resonance issues with reciprocating engines - and each different type of engine fitted will have a different resonance pattern. I would recommend sticking with an engine known to run well in BD-5s, otherwise you can virtually guarantee you'll be spending a lot of time trying to stop the drive shaft destroying itself. In this regard Turbines (pure jet or turboprop) have a huge advantage. For my own "skunk works" pusher project (currently on indefinite hold while I try and work out if I can afford it!) I want to use an electric powerplant. There are aircraft spec motors available that weigh very little, so they can be mounted right in the tail with only a very short drive shaft, and of course dont have pulses of power to induce resonance. Battery life would allow only fairly short flights, and above all, the stuff is still way too expensive!
BD-5s are way cool though, and best wishes with the project!

[ryand]

time for some more photos of as it sits..
Basically as I bought it, the fuselage is half assembled.some clecos are in place,most rivets are in. the rear left half of the fuse stays apart until the engine has been selected and any mods required are made. All flight controls were already assembled and primered minus the elevators which I hope to prime within the next week. The wings are semi assembled, although there is a common wing re-profile carried out known as the 'droop snoop' which lowers the chord of the wing to give a safer stall for a start, as well as better performance in general. It came with a set of skins pre drilled however they are only .020 thou thick, which although this is what is recommended many builders are changing to .025 thou as this gives the wig far better strength for minimal weight gains. More info to come as the project continues

Attachments:

[ryand]

The rudder ready to go

Attachments:

[ryand]

Fuselage as I acquired it

Attachments:

[Deleted]

Ooh, another fascinating thread to follow. Ever since seeing Air Expo '92 the BD-5 has been in my (considerably expansive) list of "ooh-I-like-them" machines.

[ryand]

Progress is slow.. How about some suggestions for paint? a while away but i'll dream..