Now, not one, but two of what are possibly the world's coolest aeroplanes will soon jet across the skies above Dunedin.
Dunedin flight instructor Jordan Van Der Lem is this weekend returning from Hamilton with two Bede BD-5s, the smallest jet in the world at only about 4m in length, and 6.5m from wing tip to wing tip, with plans to hire them out to adventurous pilots.
The BD-5 has a long and difficult history.
The home-built aircraft was introduced on to the market in the 1970s, but struggled after the bankruptcy of its engine supplier and then the manufacturer.
The other problem for the jet was it had an unfortunate inclination to crash.
In the early days, "quite a few pilots were falling out of the sky", Mr Van Der Lem said.
The two jets he was buying were a modified "version B" design, with both the fuselage and wings lengthened.
Mr Van Der Lem said as a 25-year-old he was not around when they were first designed, but had become enamoured with "the classic James Bond toy" that featured in Octopussy.
His goal was to start his own general aviation business, and hire the planes to experienced pilots who wanted something "to have a bit of fun with".
"This [the BD-5] represents something with a very dynamic side of aviation. It's fast and acrobatic. The things you can do are endless."
The jets he was buying were 90% complete, but required avionics and engines.
Mr Van Der Lem hoped to have the first in the air next year in time for the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow.
