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From: wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Son of AA-1
Message-ID: <111@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 12-Aug-85 02:08:20 EDT
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.111
Posted: Mon Aug 12 02:08:20 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 17-Aug-85 13:07:43 EDT
References: <608@ucsfcgl.UUCP>
Organization: Boeing Aerospace Co., Seattle, WA
Lines: 34

> What homebuilt, promised for debut in 15 months, answers to the following
> description?
> 
> "About the size of a squat, clipped wing Grumman Yankee..."
> "...takeoff runs as short as 400 ft"
> "...at an operational weight of 2400 lbs...able to climb at 434 kts
> from takeoff at a 45 degree angle up through 20,000 ft"
> "...capable of supersonic flight up to speeds of about Mach 1.6"
> 
> Answer:  What else but the latest from Jim Bede, the BD-10J, powered
> by a civilian version of the 2950 lb thrust GE J-85.  After the BD-5J,
> and earlier interesting precursors, I suppose the BD-10J is a logical
> successor.  You must admit that Bede is an imaginative guy.
> 
Hmmmm, I hate to mention this, but... the original name of the "Yankee" or
AA-1 line was:  The BD-1!

Yup, that's right, fans, the Yankee was a Jim Bede design.  Originally
designed for a C-85 engine, yet with performance figures similar to those
given above :-).  The BD-1 was a homebuilt aircraft that eventaually went
into production.  The tubular spar/fuel tank design and "curve to fit"
wrap-around-the-spar airfoil was designed for home construction.

"Son of Aviation Trivia" question:  What were:

---the BD-2 (I know this one)
---the BD-3 (can't remember)

                                                   Ron Wanttaja
						   (ssc-vax!wanttaja)

Favorite pre-takeoff statement to passengers:

     "So this is it, we're all going to die..."