W. Starling Burgess : Massachusetts Aviation Pioneer
Object ID:
2015.11.70
VE Exhibit Label 1:
Model BD-5
The Burgess Company Burgess-Dunne Model BD-5 was a swept wing, tailless pusher biplane. It was ordered by the U.S. Navy on December 5, 1914 and delivered in April 1915. Acceptance at Pensacola was delayed due to performance problems resulting to the Navy's own admission that "the original specifications were unduly severe for the state of the art". Specifications required a complete complement of aeronautical instruments and tools.

Model BD-5 was a two place side by side with crew nacelle. It had no bustle at the apex of either wing. The one built had a Curtiss OXX V-8 100 hp engine with a price of $5,000 without the engine.

The BD-5 AH-10 was piloted by Lt. Bellinger on April 23, 1915 and set the altitude record for seaplanes at 10,000 feet over Pensacola, Florida. This aircraft was used to spot for the U.S. Army Coast Artillery at Fort Munroe, Virginia on August 5, 1915.

Its special equipment included an installed Benet-Mercie machine gun and was the first U.S. N aircraft armed with an automatic weapon on January 8, 1917. Bomb racks were installed in March 1916. This Burgess-Dunne was used for operational aerial gunnery and bomb tests. This aircraft was damaged in a collision with a schooner off Mobile, Alabama on March 7, 1916 and was rebuilt and returned to service on August 22, 1916. Its U.S.N. Serial was AH-10.
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Burgess BD-5 AH-10Burgess BD-5 AH-10
Burgess BD-5Burgess BD-5