This note is from Keith Hinshaw, who tested many of the BD-5's.

 George Emer


Hi Keith,

I think I read about you testing this bird, without great results.
What can you tell me about the plane and the flight.

Best Regards,
George


 George- Yes, I did the first flights on the Mazda bird. Empty weight as remembered was some 800 lbs.
 The main problem was lack of cooling which was not adequate. Made some minor improvements, but after
 3 or 4 short flights it was get the can opener for some major rework. The owner did not want to go
 through the agony of such and so he donated it to the museum for a tax write off.
 I don't think I used more than 30 to 35% of power on climb out. Then get it on the ground before
 boil over.
 Later on in one of the birds I flew the Norton Wankel, 100 hp engine. Really liked it. All ignition
 was doubled and there was noway to miss time it. It was a total loss oil system which I worried
 about but then found it used very little oil.

 Keith



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