Page Six

Gyro Page! (Just for a change from trains). There are six pages on this fascinating subject! See link below. Click on the >> at right by the red Yahoo name to get rid of the sidebar.

© 1999 Colin D. email me if you have any information on NZ toy trains or have something to ask. (or are interested in model autogyros)

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Another hobby! Radio controlled autogyro model plane. 4 channel radio controlling rotor sideways tilt, elevators, rudder, & throttle. NOT a helicopter! The rotors are not powered, but autorotating. This is my first radio controlled powered autogyro (or autogiro or gyroplane of you prefer!) OS.15 motor (2.5cc) 44 inch rotor span. Own design. Flies OK, but on third flight flung off a rotor blade with disastrous result. Rebuilt and successfully flying now.

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Repaired and here it is airborne after a hand launch. The `old fella` nervously flying it is me!

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We now jump forwards about 3 years to 2006! My first autogyro above is still flying well, but I decided to build another to the same design. No need make any design changes, except for longer and more flexible undercarriage legs. Same type of motor - an OS15, which is amply powerful. Side tilting rotors, but not fore & aft tilt - elevators are quite adequate. Avoids load on servo. Has rudder too, plane can be turned with either side tilt or rudder (or both!).

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Behind is the gyroplane featured above. In front is my second radio controlled aircraft. Partly based on Emilio Cabezas`s direct control plane, but enlarged, (rotors are 48 inches span) and powered by an old OS 35 motor. All control is by the rotor head (& throttle),- no moving parts in tailplane. Blade hinges are polypropylene (from an ice cream container) set at a `delta` angle, so as blade flaps upwards when advancing forwards with faster airflow than the retreating blade, the incidence angle is reduced automatically, equalising lift and preventing `rollover`. Clark W rotor section, (undercambered).

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And here it is - flying away after a hand launch.

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In flight.

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CLICK HERE FOR SECOND PAGE ON AUTOGYROS

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