BD-5 Jet

BD-5 Jet
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The world's smallest jet aircraft, the BD-5 Jet is a single seat home built kit aircraft that was introduced in the early 1970s by Bede Aircraft. Few BD-5 Jet kits were completed after the company's bankruptcy in the mid 1970s due to the failure to deliver reliable engines.

The BD-5 Jet used a Microturbo TRS-18 turbojet engine that was manufactured in France and in the U.S. under license from Microturbo.

The BD-5 Jet holds the Guinness world record for smallest jet propelled aircraft.

Specifications
Primary Function: Crew: Engine/Thrust: Weight Empty: Max. Weight: Fuel Capacity: Height: Length: Wingspan: Stall Speed: Cruise Speed: Max Speed: Climb Rate: Takeoff Distance: Landing Distance: Ceiling: Range: Year Deployed:	recreation one 1- 326 lbs. 432 lbs. 860 lbs. 36 gals. 5' 7" 12' 5" 17' 67 mph 240 mph 300 mph 2,400 fpm 1,800 feet 1,000 feet 26,000 feet 400 miles 1973

BD-5 Jet

A BD-5 Jet from Jet Mart USA.

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Cermark has a BD-5 Jet. It has a wingspan of 44" and a length of 30". Cermark tells us that it has a fiberglass fuselage and weighs 20 - 26 oz. depending on the battery used to power it. Recommended power is a CEM 2815-1420 brushless motor.

Pictured above is a nice BD-5 Jet from Jet Mart USA. It has a wingspan of 68", is 48" long and weighs around 11 lbs. From .90 to 1.09 engines can power it.

YF RC Model has a BD-5 Jet. It has a wingspan of 43" and a length of 30". YF recommends a 380 type motor for power.

Sean Cassidy, Champaign, IL sent in the first three pictures below of his BD-5 Jet on its test flight. It has a wingspan of 103" and a full flying stab. For power Sean uses a P-120 turbine producing 27 lbs. of thrust. All up weight is 45 lbs.

In the last picture below is the rc BD-5 Jet built from a kit for sale by Balsa Builders. It is made from Depron and has a 35" wingspan with a weight of about 20 oz. You can use a Speed 400 size motor to power it.

We had the opportunity to build and fly two BD-5 Jet slope soarers. One was by SR Hobbies. That BD-5 Jet had performance that was about average. The other airplane was by MAD Aircraft design. That BD-5 Jet was one of the most fun to fly radio control airplanes we have ever had! Unfortunately, it appears that both companies are out of business.

We have seen postings about a BD-5 Jet ducted fan on RC Universe, but there wasn't any manufacturer given.

Email us if you know of any other BD-5 Jet.

BD-5 Jet

Sean Cassidy and his BD-5 Jet.

BD-5 Jet

Sean's BD-5 Jet in flight.

BD-5 Jet

Sean's BD-5 Jet landing.

BD-5 Jet

The BD-5 Jet from Balsa Builders.

Specifications