Design of the Speedbird commenced in 2000, with construction starting in 2003. The aircraft is based around a surplusdrop tank, that Malliga had purchased for €25.00, and which originally was fitted to a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. It is a mid-wing monoplane of all-metal construction. The wings have no dihedral and are of narrow taper and fitted with outboard ailerons. The aircraft was equipped with a Cessna retractable tricycle undercarriage. A diesel engine, located in the middle of the fuselage, drove a five-bladed pusher propeller located to the rear of a V-tailempennage.