BD-10J
 

Hi all,

I have been a big fan of Jim Bede's designs since I first saw the first BD Micro ad with the Vtail which eventually became the now famous BD-5. The final version of this sleek little plane was the BD-5J. This model went on to thrill millions at air shows. I was fortunate to see two of the first ones at an air show in the early 70's. I even helped load them into the DC-3 that Jim used to transport them in.

This was not Jim's last Jet design. In the early 90's the BD-10J was born. It was an instant success with the aviation enthusiasts. Here was a kit built aircraft that would break the speed of sound. Well to my knowledge it never reached that speed and like it's older brother the BD-5 it had it's share of mishaps. I understand that the prototype still exist as well as at least one more example in Canada.
One of Jim Bede's employees, Paul Appelbaum, who worked on the BD-10 was a R/C modeler. Paul went on to design, build, kit and fly a ducted fan model of the BD-10J. There appears to be only about 15 of these kits ever sold. I was fortunate enough to acquire one of these kits recently. About the same time Jesus Cardin in Spain also acquired a complete kit. Yesterday our paths cross on another thread and a decision was made to start this thread which will eventually become a build thread of both kits. It is hoped the any other owners of one of these kits will join in including former owners who may be able to share their experiences building and flying it. Maybe we might get lucky and Paul will join in.

Joe Selila

RE: BD-10J
 

Hi friends:

For those interested, you may check the following link for reading a pilot report published on the BD-10 in the Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine June 1994 issue as well as watching two promotional videos on the aircraft. Hope you like it:

http://www.bd5.com/bd01000.htm

Best Regards,

Jesus Cardin

RE: BD-10J
 

Hi Jesus,

Welcome aboard.

I think this is going to be a very interesting thread about an aircraft that at one time set the aviation world on fire and the scale models that it inspired.

Doing a search for BD-10 on RC Universe brought up this thread:
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1378268/anchors_1378268/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#1378268]Anyone Ever Model the BD-10? [/link]
It contains a lot of posts by people associated with the BD-10J development, including pilots that flew them and people who help build it. Username pja is one of the posters on this thread who is none other than Paul Appelbaum . He writes some about the kit and the history of the BD-10J. It is a couple years old (12/2003) but some great reading.

Joe

RE: BD-10J
 

You know, it's a shame that this airplane didn't quite make it. IMHO, the concept was well ahead of it's time. Today's technology and newer, lighter & stronger materials would certainly have yielded much better integrity for that particular airplane. Yes, we now have the Javelin, but the BD-10 was a better looking airplane because of it's military F-15 like twin rudder appearance IMO. If that particular aircraft could be re-done today and maybe 10% bigger.....WOW, think about it..... Now if we could just find some filthy rich entrepreneur to take on the challenge!!! Regards,

Richie

RE: BD-10J
 

Richie,
It just may happen.... The company I work for, Four Winds Aircraft, purchased the rights, tooling and prototype of the Bede 10 several years ago.... Something is in the works ;)

Todd

RE: BD-10J
 

Todd, that's great news. This is a project definitely worth re-doing. There's just something about owning your own fighter style personal jet that's soooo sexy, if you know what I mean!! I'm actually surprised it hasn't resurfaced as of yet. Now all I need is a dollar and a dream...LOL!!

Richie

RE: BD-10J
 

I just aquired an old magazine that has Bob Thacker's story and build artical on the BD-10 plane. He built it to 1/4 scale and it looked great. If you are interested i can scan them and post the article.

RE: BD-10J
 

That would be great. Any information about the BD-10J, both full size or scale model, would add to make this thread an a good source of information for anyone interested in the BD-10J.

Joe

RE: BD-10J
 

I am trying to load the photos so be patient with me if I post a bunch of nonsence.

RE: BD-10J
 

still trying

RE: BD-10J
 

some more photos.

RE: BD-10J
 

still more

RE: BD-10J
 

even more

RE: BD-10J
 

last two.

RE: BD-10J
 

I have Bob Thacker's plans and the write up on the BD-10.. i want to build it but been havening a time trying to find a Block of foam big enuff.. thinking about trying to use pink Foam sheet that you get from Home depot just want to make a plug with the plans and then make some changes IE hatch on top and go with Micro Jet. or do a full Composte Fuse , wings and tails..

RE: BD-10J
 

jaberwalky, thanks for posting the Col. Bob Thacker's Giant BD-10 Info.

I just did a check at [link=http://www.flying-models.com/]www.flying-models.com[/link] and the Plans CF925 and the construction article are still available. I went ahead and ordered a copy while we can still get them. you get both for only $23.00. Now that is a deal.

Joe

RE: BD-10J
 

T45WingNut, welcome to the thread.

I saw someone online not to long ago offering blue core foam in big blocks that would get the job done. Maybe someone will join in with a source.

Joe

RE: BD-10J
 

THEY SHOULD MAKE THIS BD-10 AN ARF KIT, IT WILL SURE BE A TOP SELLER SPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO MOVE UP IN TURBINE JETS (AS A TRAINER).

LOOKS SIMPLE TO BUILD DOESN'T NEED TO MANY SERVOS , AND IF THEY WOULD SELL IT BETWEEN $ 800.00 TO $ 1000.00 THE ARF KIT IT WILL BE A TOP SELLER FOR SURE !!!

AND IT WILL BE AND EXCELLENT PRICE RANGE FOR THE GUYS WHO WANT TO START IN THE TURBINE JETS AS A BEGINNER, AND HOW THE AIRPLANE LOOKS, IT WILL BE A FAST AIRPLANE AND A SLOW EASY TO LAND AIRPLANE .

AND CAN BE EASILY USE FOR SCALE COMPETITION TOO !!!

EXCELLENT FOR BEGGINERS TO LEARN HOW TO FLY TURBINE JETS AND EXCELLENT FOR SCALE COMPETITION !!!!!!!!

RE: BD-10J
 

Juango, welcome to the thread.

Joe

RE: BD-10J
 

Glad to be of help to you slojo. once the plans come in will you be posting a build thred? Hope so cuz it looks like it will be an awsome adventure.

RE: BD-10J
 

Joe I will keep my eyes out for it.. and Juango give me some time.. will see what i can come up with, when i get some Foam to start a plug and see where it can go from there.. Here is a pic on one of the last Airframe i built.. Its only a display but was fun building..

RE: BD-10J
 

T45WingNut, That is AWSOME!!!. Find that foam and get started on the Thacker BD-10J.

Joe

RE: BD-10J
 

Hi All,

As I had stated on 10/04/06, I ordered a set of Col. Bob Thacker's Giant BD-10 plans and a copy of the article from the flying Models Magazine issue it was featured in. Well, they arrived today 10/13/06 VIA USPS Priority Mail. A very nice surprise was that they sent a new issue of the magazine, not a copy of the article. After opening the plans on the living room floor, all I can say is this is one big airplane.

Joe

RE: BD-10J
 

This thread has been quiet for a while, so I thought I would add some to it. Still have not started my BD-10J yet, but I have added another kit to my collection. This is a Mini Fan EDF model that Bill Griggs offered as a full Balsa kit back in the 90's. It too is a rather rare kit.

I also have closed a deal on the BD10J younger brother, a DCU BD-5J near finished Kit. It is on it's way here via Fedex due to arrive at my doorstep the 14th. The DCU line of kits was purchase by Jetmart who produced the Bd-5J for a while but now only offers custom built models it seems.

John Wiebe in Canada is working on his own BD-10 Design that I believe will be 1/4 scale. He was kind enough to have his drawings scaled down for me. The results of that scale down will be a 90mm EDF powered BD-10 which I am working on. It is still in the design stage and will feature a glass fuse, foam wings & retracts.

More to come soon,
Joe

RE: BD-10J
 

Jo,
I HAD one of the kits that Paul made. I sold it a few years back to a fellow in the Denver area if I recall correctly.
I remeber seeing Paul's fly at Superman many years ago.
It used the Viojett.............now EVF and was a really nice flying model.
Bob