Tim, Paul and all,
Here is a photo of a Mazda powered BD-5 in the Western Aerospace
Museum, Oakland, CA.
265 (or 285?) hp, they were never able to solve the  cooling problems.
There is a rotary (Norton)
powered BD-5 in the US and another one in the UK. Alturair of San
Diego, CA has tried to develop
a single rotor rotary with aluminum castings but, to date, I don't
think they have been successful.
With recent news of manufacturing rotary engines (in Ohio I believe)
the chance to power a BD-5
with a rotary of the proper size and weight may become possible, I
certainly hope so.
Cheers,
John Lewis
N501BD



Thanks John & George (down under),
    After asking yesterday I spent the night on Google and found mention
but no specifics, thanks for the location and picture.  I wonder how fast it
was?
I see they're putting turbocharged 4 cyl Honda engines in them.
I've got the bug to try this and one rotor will not be enough, (is my hair
on fire?) besides it seems Paul thrives on cooling problems.
Thanks,
Tim Sharpe

I think if you put 300 pounds in the engine compartment of a BD5
you will have more serious structural problems than engine cooling.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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