Tom Wright 2 Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 Max Landing is the easy bit ., as the term implies, flying must have taken place . Tom. Edited By Tom Wright 2 on 05/12/2012 14:03:40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I have just had a final weigh-in and seem to be on the right side for a change! Ready to fly with no LiPO mine weighs 631g (22.2 oz) and with a 3S 1800, 787g (27.2 oz). The hang angle is spot on with the LiPO about a 1 cm off the rear bulkhead. So - nothing holding me back now from some visits to the field at the end of the week. Fingers crossed for a light breeze and just for a change - please, no rain. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 Hi Peter. Glad to hear you have completed the Crane Fly so quickly . As I suggested to Ken take your time getting used to recognising vigorous spin up .The model should pulling up with a force at least equal to the weight . Hope you get some decent weather for a try out, best of luck . Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 The new Crane Fly build with single head function is coming along well. Todays activities saw the removable u/c made and fitted ,along with the servo roll mount ,push rods, and delta plate . The HK blades were wedged with the left over half wedges from the Auto - G . and quick try in the garden had the blades spinning up very smoothly ,which was encouraging .The projected AUW of 18 oz is also looking possible. Just got the tail / rudder to make ,fit the motor , hoping I have got an esc spare , and sorting out elevator servo ,should see the model ready for a try. Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxy Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Hi Tom. I know its a bit cheeky but any chance of a few photos of the Crane Trainer. Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 Max. Do you mean the single function head model or the standard build blog ,with HK head and blades ? Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxy Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Tom The single function head photos would be much appreciated, have had trouble getting 2mm lite ply none in South Wales, so just ordered two sheets from Balsa Cabin. Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Max. The new single head model has flown ! . I am roped in for domestic duties this afternoon so, a full report this evening . Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Single Function Head Crane Fly . The Maiden of this model today ,confirmed that this was the the easiest Autogyro to build and fly, I have come across yet. Roll and pitch are well balanced , with any tendency for edginess in roll eliminated .Turns were near flat with little nose drop . Directional and pitch control during the approach and landing phase, required no special skills ,and touch downs at near zero ground speed proved easy. The head is a simple hinge with an operating arm and could be made from any number of scrap materials . Only one small metal geared servo is used for rotor roll control ,which saves weight building time and cost .The elevator is operated via a standard 9 gm servo . Surprisingly the little 3" 0.8 mm delta flapping plate seems to be spot on when....... .....using the HK C-30 blades . The GS blue wonder bearing housing works a treat and only costs about £1 plus a couple of low cost flange bearings For those who want to build this one , it's simply a standard Crane Fly airframe with a different tail and shorter mast raked back eight degrees , the rake back is simply done by adjusting the back stay length . The single roll servo installation just requires an extra former . The maiden was straight off the board with no adjustments needed , and in less than ideal weather conditions, so first impressions are certainly very good ,can't wait to fly again in better conditions. Tom. Edited By Tom Wright 2 on 06/12/2012 16:24:28 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Single Function head Crane Fly. . Note I used a carbon mast as my spruce stock ran out . The build is easier using spruce , making the back stay lugs simple to attach. Tom. Edited By Tom Wright 2 on 06/12/2012 17:01:48 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Single function head Crane Fly. The photo shows the elevator servo mounting, and extra former for the single roll servo. Note the 8 degree mast rake back, and scraps of 0.8 GF used for mast base and back stay lugs. Tom. Edited By Tom Wright 2 on 06/12/2012 19:21:05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Single funtion head Crane Fly. Side view of the the simple head ,bearing ,and delta plate.This one was knocked up very quickly for a try out . I am quite sure most could build a neater one . I effect it's just a bolt through a sleeve or long nut through mast, with a block of spruce to carry the roll arm, and rotor bolt ,scrap GF is used for reinforcing . This and similar ways have proved to very robust , and can easily be made to avoid free play . Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Single function head Crane Fly . Sorry about bad photo. The arm that has the ball joints each end is 95 mm long measured from the ball joint centres. This long arm seems to account for the smooth roll control , noted on the maiden flight today. 2mm piano wire works well softer wire options should be avoided. The arm shown has a plastic sleeve , which is not nesassary . Tom. Edited By Tom Wright 2 on 06/12/2012 20:10:51 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Single funtion head Crane Fly. View of the 3" 0.8 mm Delta Plate with the HK C-30 blades and "blue wonder" bearing housing fitted . Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxy Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Tom Fantastic, excellent work this must be the birth of a unique autogyro trainer (the Super Sixty of the wirlley birds) It looks right as if it wants to fly, thanks for the super photos all printed up A4 size. Will have to start ordering all the bits & pieces now. Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Max. I have spare blue wonder housings flange bearings and HK blades,if you want to give it a go . Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Single function head Crane Fly. Here is a very strong way of producing the single function control components from off cuts . Double up the spruce mast top as shown. Prepare the spruce top arm with two GF pads and 3mm rotor bolt hole as shown Bind 2mm ID brass tube to top arm . Bend two pieces of 2mm piano wire into L shapes .Make a grove at the front and back of the mast and tack glue one in to place. Slide the brass tube over the first L shape wire,then tack glue the other L shape wire into place after sliding into the other end of the brass tube. Bind the top of the mast with thread and cyno as shown. Let cyno cure then add another coat.( or use epoxy). Note a longer 3mm rotor bolt will be needed ,as the one shown is all I had to hand. The 2 mm 95 mm long piano wire rocker arm can now be located in the GF pad hole and secured with cyno . Note the rocker arm is not shown on the photo above . See previous page for model details. Any questions ? Tom. Edited By Tom Wright 2 on 07/12/2012 03:57:03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Ready to bolt on the delta plate ,(note photo still showing the short rotor bolt ) a 3 mm x 40 mm bolt will be required , or a threaded bell motor shaft could be adapted . Extra GF pads could be used to further beef up the rotor bolt hole . Tom. Edited By Tom Wright 2 on 07/12/2012 04:49:31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 message for the CEO of Wright Aviation.......well done tom for the fixed rotor version.......you are given people loads of option's in the build/ fly...dept.......up here in the north east of the colony we are having major prob's with the weather........every time i look at the crane fly...its saying no way for it's maiden yet........ ..... ken anderson........ne...1...cold front dept... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Thanks Ken . The weather here in Sherwood Forest is now dreadful , It was good luck to get a" window " yesterday , otherwise the single head version would also be refusing to go to the field. lol. I must say the simple head version could be perfect for first timers who struggle with the two way head.It also solves the problem of getting HK heads that are still out of stock. Wind blown and cold . Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Max. pm sent. Tom. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share Posted December 7, 2012 Single function head Crane Fly. Just a note about the tail and fin. Tail span 16" Chord including elevator 5 1/4 " Elevator chord 2" . The fin area was increased by approximately 30 % to compensate for the lack of dihedral tips .chord at base 7" height 6 3/4 " Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Hi Tom ,re you'r crane fly 2,I have been out side to try getting the rotors spinning ,I have to ask ,Is there a knack to getting them going?I have tried facing into wind but it does not seem to want to spin ! cheers Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted December 8, 2012 Author Share Posted December 8, 2012 Hi Bernie. What rotor shims have you used ? Also note, to get good inital spin up the rotor has to be held at near 90 degrees to the air flow , and must be started by hand in an anticlockwise wise direction. Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Elliott Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Tom I hope to get some air time Sunday with the gyro. It has been in the hanger since I saw you due to the weather and my degree needing every minute of the day. Thankfully it has now been submitted and I can get on with the serious stuff.....flying. fingers crossed for a light wind in the morning.!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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