Chris Dowell

Nice one Steve .That one really pops Rich Modified motor mount??

I am a little surprised that you have still gone with an of center motor. I have found that a central motor mount on my modified Mantis and my own WA 116 design, there is no noticeable difference ? I could put this down to my modest expert skilled flying capability......(but I very much doubt that.) or the fact that it does not make a great deal of difference?

I'm afraid that the hatch was a bit of a killer. Now the first pic is what it looked like just before the fatal flight and the other three are latest version showing that I did not go with the long elevator cable ,but installed a servo insitu This was several years ago and after the prang I started on another build which I completed in quick time .....then it sat completed ,ready to go ...for about six years.....sat on a shelf ...in plain view but forgotten about. I took it out for its test flight about six weeks ago and very nearly put it in because the settings were a bit off . I now have the ailerons with very little movement and it is a pleasure to fly....but it is very fast ...just a little different to an autogyro. Happy Landings Chris...

G'Day Steve Just saw the video of the flight that you recently posted of the Fantrainer. I am on my third model built from the same plan . I never went with the IC version because as soon as I saw the plan ..it shouted E power...t'was quite a complex build as I remember. My model is very fast and so I have to sit down and have a rest after flying it.🙃 I have all the throws set to a minimum and with a very pottant inrunner it really moves. If you look at my video's ,back in 2017 ,you'll see a couple of flights with on board cam...one was the final flight of model "2" Happy Landings Chris...

Well I like it........ and I've got the spruce.? Happy Landings

Well Mr Outrunner.. It appears as if you have come to grips with these Autogyro thingys and as you tell us "just different). Yes they sure are ,and what a pleasure they can be .I read and understand you problem with an ROG and sometimes the model can be far off before we see the rotor up to speed and by then the orientation can be hard to pick up, and that is why I hand launch most of my models because you will see, hear and feel the rotors working prior to gently pushing the model up and away.The Mantis is a very good second step and if you can fly you current model ,the Mantis is just as easy. I have found this as my "go to model" over the years and it is a joy to fly. It is light and rugged and can take a bit of a 'thumping"? This model is very suitable for hand launching. Just take a look at the following video ...easy as . Happy Landings Chris...

Thanks for the numbers Steve...I'm not disappointed by the weight of my blades taking into consideration they are longer and wider...so probably generating more lift , which is always good.. Chris...

I went to the flying field yesterday hoping to test a new model(Tadpole) but unfortunately the wind was a little high for a test flight. I also wanted to test some new blades on the gyroooooo ? and I new this model would handle the conditions OK. I also found that I will have to reduce the the motor thrust a little as it was 'ballooning ' under full power. Steve ..did you find that ? I thought that I would also share some pics of my recent blade construction. Now it is not my intention to reinvent the wheel. but simply to see if I could make good blades with material that was lying around. (tight fisted old sod) So I used timber slats from a venetian blind and "dollar tree "5mm foam. The timber slats were cut to the required length sanded and joined with PVA with a couple more layers for the L/E and hub. These slats are approx 2mm thick and adding the foam to the top worked out pretty good. I pretty much balanced the blades at this stage before adding the foam as that would be adding only a little more weight. I shaped the L/E before adding the foam which was again joined with PVA and pressed flat over night .The foam is a lot easier to shape than balsa with less dust. I did not add tip weight as I considered they would be heavy enough as is. These blades are 500 X 60 including the try plate with bolt weigh 209 gms. I would be interest in comparing the weight of these blades with any one that has made similar size in balsa. The scales in the picture show the weight of a larger set of blades. You will be happy to know that I even as far as crash testing these blades....just to test them ? with no damage. All the strength is in the timber with the foam just to give shape and support the covering that is applied at a low heat. Happy landings Chris...

Steve Like I said "L" is for Landing ...that was an "arrival"? I was more thinking of having rotors front and back ..similar to a trycipter +wings Ponder ye on that one sport. Chris...

Correction... Warning...senior citizen with rampant tape measure , should be 500 X 60 and not 700 X 60 .

Rich According to the plan....I'm way out I have 85mm from front of carbon mast to the balance point with lipo and model in the horizontal position and no rotor. Is that the way you want it? The blades that I made for this model are 700 x 60 using 2mm hardwood base to the whole blade with hardwood L/E and then all depron for the rear top of the blade .No balsa used in there construction. Steve Very nice but VTOL The L is for LANDING? Chris...

Yes Steve ..quite a moover now. I use a 12 X 6 with this motor...I do like your collection and have been watching with interest your videos and the progression of the Liddle glider...and am waiting for the VTOL version ?? That bat looks interesting. Cheers Chris...

I finally was able to retest this model with the larger motor as Steve has and was happy with the "sparkling performance". I found the flight very punchy and quite different from my first rather sedate flight. I can recommend this motor set up. Chris...

Well with the battery at the rear of its compartment and 20gms added to the fin ,the weight with lipo and rotor is 1085 gms ,ready to fly with a 16 deg hang and that gives me 4.95 OZ/ sq FT loading which is pretty good . It's just that it seamed so much heavier with the larger motor ,but in fact it must have been pretty light with the smaller one. I'm hoping to get it out next week and try for some of those pylon turns, just like Steve.? Chris...

Thanks Steve I have always managed to "Build Light" and that could be the reason in this case .I do bereave that the arrow shaft could be lighter than wood . My original construction DID actually follow Riches instructions ( for a change) with the initial build as was shown in my video but I have made some mods to the appearance on the tail boom. I did send a pic of the model to Rich for his perusal. Just weighed it and model only with EMAX 2815 09 12 X 6 prop no lipo no rotor comes in at 670gm. Looks like I may have to add about 40-50 gms to the tail. I have never had to add weight to the tail of any autogyro before this . Chris...

So I took out the "four" and dropped in the "V eight ",so its a 138 gm compared to 68 gms ,without a lipo ,it comes in with 18 deg hang,,,so did you have to put a brick in the boot?? Chris...

Gentlemen. Well Rich my motor is a little smaller than yours ..being a 2826 1000KV turning a 10 X 4.7 SF prop so it flies be it very sedately. Now Steve that motor you are using is a bit overpowered for this model. I have about six of them that I use on considerable larger models I have one in a DAG and had one in the Panther....and I know that they turn a 12 X 6 prop with ease . Now I just happen to have a spare one laying in a box doing nothing at the moment SOOOOOO what can go wrong ? Chris...

Steve. What is your motor on this model.................got to get me a new one................mine is a tad under powered. ? Cheers Chris...

Yes I have successfully flown with the modification ...which I then remodified....and again...I was also using a 3S 2200ma pack I will send you a pic in the next couple of days...It does look a little "way out" Gravity...ah yes...that does make a considerable difference. Chris...

Correct.. carbon arrow shafts and I also used shorter blades ,from one of my "Minimum's"....and the all up weight is 910gms, with a "slight" modification to the fuz.