Richard Harris Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Whilst I sit and wait for my Calidus spares to come from the East I thought I would make a start on my new design. For me, pushers are by far my favourite type of autogyro as I think they just look 'right' in the air. I believe they are just as easy to fly as tractor type models but do require a little more forward thinking when designing. This model has been on the drawing board for a while after Mr Ashby asked me have a go at a pusher design which hopefully maybe published as a freebie plan. To make life easier I have decided to stick with all the same electrics as used on the Panther so they can be easily transfered on to the new model which is called the 'Revolver'. I have been happily cutting away a sheet of 3mm lite ply over the last week and started to slot together bits over the weekend. This is what I have so far, doesnt look a lot but it is the battery mounting plate and is the heart of the build with alot of formers slotting into it. You will also see a plate at the front to which the rudder servo will be mounted. To give you an idea of what the model will look like I have been experimenting with a smaller similar design. This used the same train of thought and utilises Fire Fly blades and electrics etc. Rich Edited By Richard Harris on 30/05/2013 11:32:18 Edited By Richard Harris on 30/05/2013 11:33:25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 I have added a few more formers which slot into place, before I cmmited to glue the boom was trial fitted and checked for alignment. The boom is a length of 6mm x 13mm carbon fibre box section, this seems pretty rigid and is very hard to twist by hand. Also, I have glued into position the two rear inner triangular strengtheners (R2) which double up as an aid to align F3. U/C plate assembly is made from 3 pieces of 6mm birch play (I have laminated 3mm thick as I don't have any). Pressed into these are 2 M5 captive nuts. The gap is infact a location slot for the base of the mast, but it will all become a bit mre obvious as the build progresses. The bulk not only has the motor bolted to it but also the servos mounted into it. I have doubled up this assemby with 3mm lite ply creating a slot for the mast and a bit of extra 'meat' for all the screws to bite into. At the bottom of this laminated bulk head is a gap, this if for the U/C assembly to be epoxied into which is checked for squareness. F3 was then glued into postion which slots into the battery plate right at the back and butts up to the 2 triangular doublers (R2). On to the rear of F3 are glued two 6mm formers (R1), you will note that the grain is infact running vertical as the U/C plate assembly will be mounted at the bottom of these. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holland 2 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 This looks very appealing, Richard. I shall look forward to the plan in the July mag!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 The little depron based model looks good,perhaps another plan on the way? How come it is so noisy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 David, Maybe July 2014 , it has to fly first! Mowerman, Most pushers sound like that, I think that it is exaggerated a bit due to the tip of the prop being pretty close to the tail boom. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted June 1, 2013 Author Share Posted June 1, 2013 OK, I have progressed a little more this evening with a few bottles of Hobsons finest Mast has been again laminated with a 6mm balsa core plus it has a carbon fibre strengthener which is the off cut from the boom. Two birch ply plates are epoxied at the top to creat the female hinge. This was then slid into the pre made bulk head then glued, I also added some triangular balsa section I had kicking around. Now I had two inner sub assemblies, the front and the rear. These were mated together with epoxy for strength. Before adding the 6mm balsa fuselage sides I installed a couple of 4mm plastic tubes as guides for the closed loop rudder cables. Last for tonight was the fuselage sides and a quick check that I have my dimensions right for the 4s 3300 A Lipo. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Having been called into work at 6am due to a fault on the fire system I was back at hme for 8 twidling my thumbs so had me a couple of hours adding the top decking . Rear first...... Followed by the front.....whilst I was in and around that area I slotted into place the centre nose section. This will double up as a guide to get the shape correct when I attack it all with the sanding block. Before that I will need to infill each side of it with scrap soft balsa block. Below is shown the first 3mm thick birch ply nose wheel mounting plate in position, this will be doubled up with another. I have stuck with 3mm as it has a bit of flex in it to follow the slight arc. And to finish off the early mornings session a soft balsa spine has been added to the top of the front decking sheets (which were sanded flat first). Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 After filling in the nose area with soft balsa block and sheeting the underside I had an hour outside this evening with the sanding block. I now have something that ressembles a flying machine...OK , maybe not , more like a shoe! And a snap of the underside, the sheeting was made in segments around the square boom tube. You can also see the exit holes for the rudder closed loop wires as well as open compartment to access the rudder servo. Rich Edited By Richard Harris on 02/06/2013 21:01:52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 I made up the tailplane mount this evening, it's a simple affair using TE and triangular section balsa glued together to create the dihederal I wanted. Fin just slots into the top and the tail feathers are slotted and will be glued on final installation. I have also added a couple of finlets too the outer edges, these help a pushers stability when the motor is off. Tail feathers are very simple and just 6mm depron, easily replacable in 'an event'. UC has also been fitted and the nose wire bent up and mounted. Servos to the head are mounted from behind into the bulkhead, a slight bit oof trimming was all that was needed too give them a snug fit. Coming along nicely, I think I will tackle the head next. Rich Edited By Richard Harris on 03/06/2013 22:24:59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gyrocopter Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Looking great so far, rearward servos will make any maintenance easier and with so little load on the pushrods shouldn't be a problem. Will it use a HK head? Pilot looks ready to go!! Chas Edited By Charles Malcolm on 05/06/2013 16:46:38 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted June 5, 2013 Author Share Posted June 5, 2013 Hi Chas, I am glad at least someone is looking in, I was beginning to think I was talking to myself which they say is a sign of madness!..sniff sniff! The HK head will be too small I think for this model, it is in fact larger than an RPG but should turn out roughly the same weight as there is a lot more balsa used rather than lite ply. The head was made up this afternoon so I will give it all a rub down and it is time to start covering. I will fit all the radio in place and weigh it, from this I can calaculate whether the Panther blades will give the required disc loading. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jose L. G. Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Hi Richard. Also following your progress. Nice. Will interfere the motor with the servos? José L. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stringer Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Rich - always follow your work - still love to get my hands on a pusher autogyro! This one is looking nice - please do keep posting. Have to get over and see you sometime! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Rich Not many replys but 375 people looking on, Plenty of interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gyrocopter Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Hi Rich, Hadn't realised it was bigger than an RPG but thats all for the good with regards orientation. Yes, there are lots of folk looking over your shoulder as you magic yet another autogyro. Looking forward to seeing it finished. Chas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon burch Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Was tempted to build a Panther, but I think I prefer the challenge and look of the pusher models. Will it be swinging bigger blades than the RPG? Might have to wait for this one to come out to tempt me back into the autogyro's. Cheers, Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted June 6, 2013 Author Share Posted June 6, 2013 Thanks chaps, I really did think I was wasting my time taking photos. A slow few days progress due to work commitments, the head is finished and I have started to make some spats which need to be final sanded. Blades are looking like they may need to be a tad longer than Panthers but the same width and aerofoil. I will try Panthers when the time comes to crash test. Plenty of clearance between motor and push rods, even with the right offset of the motor. Spats And a 'balance things in position' photo. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Elliot Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Looking really nice Rich, some ingenious ideas in this one...I just cant fathom how you keep coming up with new and unique shapes. Have you thought of going for a fibreglass finish......kidding!!! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Whiting 1 Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I really like what I see here, this is certainly a yes for me..................... Terry. Edited By Terry Whiting 1 on 07/06/2013 10:33:16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Flynn 1 Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Very nice Rich looks good, if only with my one good eye at the moment regards, Kevin (PS Looks like this will be my first pusher, by the time it's ready for plans I hope to be able to see it with both eyes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Very nice Rich, and with the six-million-dollar man as pilot, you can't go wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted June 10, 2013 Author Share Posted June 10, 2013 David, Things can always go wrong !! I have slapped a bit of covering over it going with a RedBull theme. Depron tail feathers were also covered but the iron's temperature was turned down a tad. Not much left now , just need some wings and add a few finishing touches. Should be good to go this coming weekend if the CG turns out favourable. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big T Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Ah Haa, a modified and easier to build Gemini me thinks???? Having snapped the tail plane on my Gemini a couple of times during transportation I have an idea for a mod. How about making the tail assembly removable and fixing the halfs of the tailplane between to plates and held in my nylon bolts that pinch the Depron? Nice prop by the way! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Elliot Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Nice colours Rich, looks very professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gyrocopter Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 Just a thought but how about a profile pilot to save weight. I believe I saw a sketch somewhere of the revolver with a pilot. Good luck with the test flights. Chas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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