After a bit of sloppy research in my last post, I now post a correction that the BD5 was introduced in the early 1970's and Bede Aircraft Ltd was bankrupt by 1979. However during the remarkable sales frenzy around 5,100 kits were shipped to customers worldwide. Also the BD 5B featured a longer wing than the original BD 5. Thanks to those who have posted comments, which have shed some light on a couple of other BD 5 photos that I have.The photo above was taken at the 1998 SAANZ flyin at Matamata and I guess it was ZK-DVE
I am not sure who took the other photo above, but I think it might have been at Ardmore in the early 1980's. Maybe this was ZK-DYM which later became ZK-ZIP. Does anyone have any other ideas?
Wikipedia reports that in 2009 there were 150 airworthy BD 5's worldwide.
Thanks Sir Minty - great stuff.
ReplyDeleteFound the Ak Airport BD-5 jet video! Awesome smokey jet - just like they are supposed to be :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR9bgiZizAA
Wonderful Youtube video there, thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteIt was BD-5J N53EJ which apparently is still current:
"N53EJ: built by Bill Zivco for John Duncan, who donated it to his airshow partner Ed Johnson (hence the 'EJ' in the registration). Flown as the 'Bud Light' jet together with John Duncan's N153BD, and later for Leo Loudenslager. When Ed Johnson gave up airshows, the aircraft was sold to Dave Harris / 'Hammer Jets', aka Micro Aviation Services, and flown in airshows in a white-blue-red paint scheme. red left wing with 'MAS' and blue right wing with 'MICROJET'. The paint scheme was most likely based on Pepsi sponsor markings carried at one point. The basic red-blue pattern was then retained for a number of sponsorships, like Tri Counties Bank (1994), Clamptite (1994), United Van Lines (1995) and United / Fly Navy (1997). It usually had a two-digit number on the fuselage identifying the season. Reportedly one of the most beautiful -5's ever. The aircraft was stolen at one point, but recovered. Sold to Bob Bishop/Aerial Productions International in 2004 or 2005."
I remember my Dad taking me to a aerodrome in Coromandel where a friend of his had a BD 5 in the hanger. I was too young to remember the details, but I remember being told it was a James Bond jet.
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