DAVID J. GAUTHIER MEMORIAL COLLECTION
No. 10726. Bert BF-3 (N1289V)
Photographed at Rockford, Illinois, USA, by David J. Gauthier

Bert BF-3

07/31/2011. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Floyd S. Bert of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, USA, built at least three light aircraft, the BF-2 (N1275V, first flown April 1959), and the aerobatic BF-3 (N1289V), and BF-4 (N62F, first flown June 6, 1964).

The BF3 was a biplane of small span and its design was started in 1960. At a cost of about $2,000 the aircraft was constructed in two years of spare-time work, and powered by a Lycoming engine it flew for the first time on June 16, 1962."

Wings: Braced and staggered biplane. Wing section NACA 23012. Aspect ratio 4. Constant chord of 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m). Dihedral 3°. Incidence 45'. Sweepback of 6° at quarter-chord on upper wing only. Spruce spars and truss ribs, covered with Ceconite. Torque-tube actuated ailerons, on lower wings only, have aluminum structure and fabric covering. No flaps.
Fuselage: Truss structure of chrome-molybdenum steel tube, fabric covered.
Tail unit: Wire-braced structure of chrome-molybdenum steel tube, fabric covered.
Landing gear: Non-retractable tail wheel type. Hayes wheels, size 5.00 x 4 on main units, which have cantilever spring steel legs. Steerable tail wheel. Hayes drum-type brakes.
Power plant: One 125 hp modified Lycoming O-290-G four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine, driving a two-blade two-position Sensenich propeller. Fuel tank in fuselage, capacity 18 gal (68 l). Fuel system suitable for inverted flight. Oil capacity 2 gal (7.5 l).
Accommodation: Single seat in open cockpit.

Created July 31, 2011