Midget Mustang/BD-5

[coloneldan]

Anybody have any experience with a Midget Mustang or BD-5? I'm sort of thinking about something cheap that I can use to zip from central TX to the Rockies for a quick fishing trip, or to MS to see my relatives. Then get in a do a few loops and rolls when I have some spare time. I know I'll have to keep the baggage to a minium with either. The main things I'm looking for are safe, fast, at least sportsman acro, and cheap.

 

[flylowman]

I would go with the midget mustang. It is a well proven design, and has a good track record. I don't know how much baggage it will hold, but it does haul a$$. There is a guy in Greenwood, MS who has on with a 0-320 in it. I would stay far away from the BD-5. I know it looks cool but drive train problems are the problem. Also look at the Cassutt. They will go 200 mph on an 0-200 and then you can go to Reno and race in September.
Good luck

 

[coloneldan]

Yeah, I was thinking along the same lines. If I went with the BD-5 it would definately have the turbo prop or jet engine. Now that I think about it, both those options have pretty short legs.

 

[coloneldan]

What does the guy a Greenwood have to say about his, do you know?

 

[flylowman]

He loves it. It is the second that he has built. The first had and 0-235 I think. I do not know his name, but I will try to get it.

 

[coloneldan]

Thanks Flylow.

 

[LAMESAUCE]

BD-5. Survive the first flight, survive them all. Yeah, a little risky if you ask me, plus no room for my Big Gulp.

 

[crash-proof]

Midget Mustang pirep:
http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepMidgetMustang.html

Bede pirep:
http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepBD-5.html

Note the bede's article is from 1975, so bear in mind that it had just arrived on the homebuilt scene (very small back then) without the unfavorable rep it carries today.

Baggage space in either of them? That's a joke right?

 

[Flyoa1]

midget mustang

I'm building an Midget mustang. So far so good. Check out www.mustangaero.com for more info. There is also a good forum on yahoo for midget mustang builders. You'll find the link on the mustang aero home page.

 

[WhatRUSmokinGL?]

What about the Thorp T-18. There a few out there that are nice.

 

[Berkut]

Have you considered an RV-3?

It's
-cheap
-reliable
-INSURABLE
-nimble
-Goes over 200mph on car gas

There are plenty of used examples to be found.

 

[Berkut]

I just saw one on Barnstormers for $28000. Not too shabby for a 200mph ride.

 

[coloneldan]

I've thought about an RV-3, but there have been several wing failures. I'm not sure what the status is, or why.

 

[XJAVRO]

Don't do the BD if you want to take baggage or fly more than an hour. I've been looking at building one for years. There is a company call BD Micro that is selling kits, and they are far better then the original, but engines are a problem. There isn't a very good recip, the turbo prop is fairly cheap ($20,000), but there is a 2 year wait to get one. The Jet engine is very expensive if you can find one, and goof luck with that. You can't fit anything in the plane but you, and that can be tough if you're a big guy.

 

[jbDC9]

I've thought about an RV-3, but there have been several wing failures. I'm not sure what the status is, or why.

Yep, a wing coming off will certainly ruin your day...

The RV-3 wings have been beefed up and/or redesigned, meaning that older ships can be retrofitted with beef-up kits to strengthen the aft spar attach points, while new (post '98) kits have totally new RV-8 style wings.

I'd consider an older RV-3, but would make certain that the spar mods have been done.

Here's the whole story;
http://www.romeolima.com/RV3works/History/history.htm

Mod/wing info
http://www.romeolima.com/RV3works/Info/info.htm

But back to the original question, BD-5 or Midget Mustang? Go with the Mustang! That's a cool little machine... I couldn't go with a BD since it's so cramped, and I'm only 6 ft and 185 lbs. I could barely fit my shoulders between the canopy rails...

 

[coloneldan]

Hey jbDC9, Thanks for the good information. Based on the reasearch I've done in the last week or so, I have about decided to drop both the BD-5 and Midget Mustang. (Again) My shoulders measure 21 and a half inches across. the Midget Mustang cockpit is 21 inches. I could shoe-horn myself in there, but I'm not sure I could move enough to fly the thing.

 

[FlyinT]

If the choice is only between and Midget Mustang and the Bede - I would go with the MM. If that's your choice and you know you want a single seater - that's good. But I have seen numerous Midget Mustangs for sale and then resale in about a year when the guys get tired of flying by themselves. It would be hard to beat the Midget Mustang for hotrodding back and forth. The earlier post about baggage room was correct. Not much room. Someone asked about the T-18. My Dad built two and I got to fly the second for a while. If you get the 'widebody' it's a little better across the shoulders. Not a whole lot of room for baggage - but better than the MM. The wing on the T-18 was a compromise and was told that the wing on the RV was better. The Thorp's slow speed handling is not as good as the RV. Blue Skies