Richard Harris
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Posts posted by Richard Harris
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Steve, Chris,A couple of fine examples
Perfect day today for a maiden? -
Chris,If this does get into the air ok I am more than willing to share the plans with anyone else who wants to give one a go.Up until a couple of years ago I was into to fixed wings (still am), I got a little bored and tried one of these out. It must have taken 3-4 months and many repairs later before I managed to get a controllable flight without a breakage. That first time was exactly the same feeling as when I had my first solo with my trusty old Super Skyman way back then!I am not a heli guy (though I do enjoy watching others fly them), but these things a very addictive. It strange when people say..but that's a heli, I have to try and explain as best I can that it isn't and is infact a variant of a fixed wing.If anyone has never tried one they should at least once.Looking forward to seeing you 3 different scaled WebBits, how small will you go?
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Pod and mast have nearly been made for the 'Twist II' version, the mast is made up from laminations of balsa as I am trying to keep it as light as possible.I will do more on the head this weekend, but you can kind of see how it works. The rotors are able to rock back and forth for pitch control, there are2 tongues sticking up from the mast which the head slips into and has a pivot bolt. The head also tips from side to side which is very much like aileron control, this is hinged using standard 1/4 scale pin hinges.Using this type of head (DC) you are in control all of the time.An autogyro is impossible to stall, so if you had a 'dead stick' it simply floats vertically down. If you get the CG in front of the rotor spindle it should gently descend forwards. This is the reason why have swept back the mast.With a head like this the servos are always under load (especially pitch) so it is always best to go with higher torque metal geared servos (enough torque to cover the weight of the model). I have chosen the Hitec 225 MG's of which I am waiting for. Until these arrive I cannot make up the control arms for the head. I will post some pictures when they are done for those that may be interested.More the weekend hopefullyRich
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Tim,Yes that's the stuff , just from a UK supplier and renamed by the looks. It smells very much like PVA. It does add a nice shell to the airframe but it is more as a finishing coat rather than for strength.Using it on a flat surface is easy but I had problems trying to get it even around a contoured surface. I now mix it leave it for 20 mins so that it thickens up and then apply it, seal the mixed solution and give it a second coat after another 20 mins.I made an all depron indoor pusher and gave the fuselage a couple of coats of this stuff, it really is resilient to gym walls!It must be primered at least 24 hours after application or the paint wont dryWhen I first received it I thought that the tins were a bit small, but it does go along way.Rich
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I was thinking that I could maybe 'Y' lead the elevator up with the pitch servo? I see no reason why it shouldn't work, I have just never tried it
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Hi Bill...hope the op went well mate?Chris,Liquid Wings is a 2 part water based covering that is used to cover models, it will go over foam or wood etc and is self levelling. It gives a hard shell and is really light . Kind of like epoxy but without the smell and it goes off in a couple of hours. My local model shop stocks it , try a google search.
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The wing is now ready to cover, I am waiting on some Toughlon from Steve Webb Models, he is also sending me another set of ribs for my 'stub' winged version free of charge 'what a great guy!'I looked through my 'box of shame' for some some wheel spats but the ones I found were way to big and heavy.With some of that pink B&Q insulation foam I carved up a set to suit (ish) the WebBit, and epoxied a ply mount to them. They were then coated in Liquid Wings and left for a couple of hours to cure, a light sanding and I will give them a coat of primer tomorrow.Now I have nothing left in the box and the airframe is virtually complete, so I have started to make up the pod that will sit in place on the wing mount.This will be removable with the use of 'lacky bands', to this pod will be mounted the rotor mast and hopefully the 2 servos needed will fit inside unseen.Tonight I will try and calculate ...ok guess!..the position of the rotor spindle compared to the 'fixed wing' CG. The idea is to design in such a way that the CG does not change and I can inter change from one to the other.More tomorrow I hope
Caught the wife out!!!...she said 'that makes a change to build one with a wing on', with the pod in place her reply was 'not another one! haven't you got enough' . We can never have too many toys
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Cheers Chris.Between finishing work and the kids getting home from school I managed to complete the wing bar for a couple of soft balsa need for the tips at the TE. I have also made up a duraluminium UC, I have widened the track compared to the plan. Autogyros are renowned for tipping over as they take off so a little extra always helps. I have made my rudder larger in size as this will help in 'autogyro mode' (if it gets to that stage!Will hinge the tail feathers tomorrow and start creating balsa dust in readiness for the covering.I have to say I am surprised just how quickly the Webbit has gone together, if anyone is 'thinking shall I have a go'..do it!
The above photo is the mounting beams for the aileron servo (one each side) sheeted over in 1.5mm balsa to align the surface with the rib capping off strips.More tomorrow (if she lets me)RichEdited By Richard Harris on 04/04/2011 18:54:26
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Had a couple of hours spare this morning so started on the wing, not yet complete but should manage to get on top of it later this evening. I will be using Emax 12g MG servos through out , I have used a few of these and for their size produce plenty of torque.Motor is now fully cowled, this is split so that I can get at the motor. You cannot see from these photos but it will be cooled via a duct opening underneath. I have made the front canopy a removable hatch so as I can fit the battery in and out.
More laterEdited By Richard Harris on 03/04/2011 16:38:02
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3 hours work this morning and I now have what looks like a fuselage!I was not happy when I placed my motor onto the bulkhead is it sat a little too far back for my liking. Having read a few reports that weight is added to most I made up a new bulk head. This is positioned about 20mm infront of the existing one, the original one has been cut out to aid with battery location.My motor is a lower KV motor as Autogyros fly best on larger fine pitch propellors, this will also help with the the fixed wing 3D stuff (if I could do it of course!
)The one thing that concerns me is that autogyros like to have a bit of down thrust normally inline with the CG of the machine. Not a problem for the AG but how it will effect the Fixed wing version I do not know..only out at the field will tell I guess.The tailplane was a little over size so I just added a couple of slots in both, no big deal.
More tomorrow....can we upload PDF'S? I can add my new former if it is of help to others that I have drawn on solid works? -
So here is the plan
and I am aware that this is not most people 'cup of tea'Something I have always wanted to try is a convertable fixed wing model. In that you can fly it as a fixed wing land,remove the wing and add on a rotor system and fly it as an an autogyro. Maybe even 2 types? one with a DB type short stub wing with counter rotating rotors on each tip and the other as a DC (direct control) head with a single 3 bladed rotor sat on top.Tomorrow I will make a start on the 'fixed wing' airframe, try and get this complete and flown in a couple of weeks.If this goes to plan I can then calculate the rotor size needed and the position of of the mast etcI will try and figure how to add photos when I have some! -
Just waiting on my electrics to arrive and I will be on course to 'rock and rotor'. I hear that some who have already built theirs have had to add lead to the nose, I have just ordered a larger Lipo to compensate. Would hate to add dead weight and much prefer to have a few extra minutes in the air instead.Must get the building board clear now in readiness for the build, looks pretty easy to put together.
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Posted by Plummet on 02/02/2011 10:09:07:
Posted by Richard Harris on 25/01/2011 18:53:16:
Rich HarrisWorcestershireBuilding mine (with a twist!)An Autogyro Webbit?
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I'm hoping so, a 3 in 1 Webbit for a laugh....I hope it is legible for the mass build off?
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Rich HarrisWorcestershireBuilding mine (with a twist!)
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Hello Gents,Thought I would share my newly finished model of the Pitcairn PCA-2 autogyro, rotor span 80", AUW 10lbs and powered by a magnum 91 four stroke. First few flights have shown promise but I am making alterations between each flight. I have had a problem with pitch oscillation but have managed to find the problem.Heres a short video of one of the flights with a bit of WMM editing.I hope its of interest?Rich
Edited By Richard Harris on 24/01/2011 23:37:54
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Hello to one and all,
My name is Rich and I have been aeromodelling for around 25 years, I enjoy all aspects of our great hobby. More recently I have had a fascination for Model Autogyros, I would love to share my experiences with others and get a few more UK guys interested. The largest in my fleet is a 75" dia rotor tractor type gyro which has had well over 200 flights to date and flies supprisingly well.
So thats me....Have a Great Christmas gents..Im going to have a read through the forums before the wife and kids get home!!
Regards Rich Harris
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