Bede BD-5 Micro Jet (from James Bond "Octopussy")

[rbeach84]

Originally Posted by airdave

looks like six door parts in total

AirDave, the small 'door' hanging off the under-leading edge appears to be an access hatch since there is no LG parts moving in that area.

The door arrangements on BD-5 homebuilts are most likely up to the builder since the added weight of doors & closure mechanism must be balanced against their streamlining benefit, taking also into account how much power is available (from differeing engines.)

Anyone watch 'Octapussy' lately? Seems there was a scene where the plane is taxing that showed the gear pretty well.

[jlk69]

Here are pictures of the gear doors. Nose gear doors varied some having aft gear door attached to front door with hinge and some had separate one or two piece attached to fuse. Almost all jets and most prop planes leave off main gear doors.

[murphyaa]

I did a little research a while ago, and learned that on the BD-5J, the doors covering the wheels were left off because the slipstream made them too difficult to close.

[Zathros]

I wonder how much longer the prop version of this plane can fly. The jet version did not have that long of a flight time because of fuel consumption.

[jlk69]

The flight time would depend on fuel consumption while in cruise flight and how big the fuel tanks were.

[Uyraell]

A quickie-conversion for a "fighter" might well be a QTD21 with a cockpit from an F16 added.
The result would look like a miniature Saab Draken, but be faster.
As for weapons, a small minigun or modified Laser Target Designator would probably suffice, unless one wanted to go back to FFAR's.

I'm enjoying seeing this build.
This BD5 kit looks very good, and I have it dl'd to build, having seen it in the movie, and having video of one flown at Auckland NZ in 1992.
As the BD5 began as a "Rutan-like" pusher plane, the jet version was a logical evolution, and personally, I think better suited, and better looking.

Kind and Respectful Regards, Uyraell.