Bede BD-10
Bede Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1992 · light aircraft
The Bede BD-10 is an American two-seat homebuilt kit jet with a cropped-delta wing and twin vertical stabilisers, superficially resembling a scaled-down Northrop T-38 Talon. Five aircraft were built; despite claims of Mach 1.4 capability, actual performance was limited to around Mach 0.83.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.79 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Scaled T-38 Talon appearance — twin tails, cropped delta wing
- Side-by-side two-seat homebuilt supersonic kit jet
- Three fatal accidents in five built — safety record a significant concern
The cropped-delta wing with approximately 30-degree leading-edge sweep, side-by-side cockpit, and twin swept fins give the BD-10 an unmistakable T-38-derived silhouette at a fraction of the T-38's size.
Specifications
- The Bede BD-10 has a length of 8.79 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.55 m (21 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown on 8 July 1992, the BD-10 was marketed by Jim Bede as an affordable homebuilt supersonic jet. Three of the five aircraft built were destroyed in fatal accidents, raising serious questions about the design's handling qualities and the adequacy of the kit documentation. The programme effectively ended as a result.
Variants
Plans-built kit aircraft; no factory-built or certified variant was produced. Alternative engine installations included the GE J85 and Pratt & Whitney JT-12.
Where you'll see it
Operated solely as private experimental aircraft; no military or commercial service.
Related aircraft
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