Bob Bertram Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Posted by sebrien andre on 18/09/2014 04:54:10: Hi All I would like to build it ! Do you know where I can get a copy of the 2014 special issue to be "sent to France" ? Or could someone here make it for me ? Thanks for answer Andre Andre, Hi Andre, I am in France next week for a month or so (hopefully), Dept 55. If you PM me your address I will try and get you a copy of the magazine. Sante Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebrien andre Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Hi Many Thanks to Bob and Rich .... I asked to Alan Gorham who sent me a private message Best regards Andre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Just for info, I asked the plans service to prepare a set of parts for the model that include the fibreglass items. News very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Alan, Sorry, I have just seen your hand launching post. The answer is yes, an autogyro is in fact very easy to hand launch. To save me rambling on Chris Dowell in Australia made a video on how to launch an autogyro which explains it perfectly. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Gorham_ Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Thanks Rich, that's great - confirmed my suspicions. You're right, it couldn't be easier to do. Next question: have you tried an autogyro on floats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Alan, No I haven't, but I know a man who has. Ian Smith converted his RPG to a water capable autogyro with great success. If memory serves me correctly he had to increase the length of the blades and did a lot of experimenting using ballast weight to replicate the mass of the floats. I have seen him take it off wet grass but never off water which it does well. The closest I have ever got to water is snow. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Gorham_ Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Rich - great info. I do a lot of water flying and thought it would be a quick job to make some floats for the Atom. However, I had an idea that there might be a degree of experimenting and new techniques to learn. I did think about a hand launch with floats and then if the flight trim seemed OK then go for a water landing. Where is the CG on the Atom (waiting for Mrs to come home with the Magazine...)? Perhaps I'm getting a bit ahead of myself! I'll build the Atom and see how I do with flying from solid ground first. I do enjoy taking off and landing with skis, so perhaps that can be my first experiment before moving onto floats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 So, back the second part of my blade making, remember last time I had completed the shaping and root plate parts and drilled the 3mm mounting hole. No to the important bit .... balancing them... the better you make this, the less vibration you should have: First job is to find the heaviest blade. Do this by balancing each in turn. Once the heaviest one is found this will be the reference blade as when we add weight to the others during the balance process we do not want to add more to the heavy one is we can help it... At this stage is you were careful with wood selection the differences should be small Next we need to find the span balance point - as all need to be the same to avoid vibrations. A simple scrap of triangular is used. Mark the blade once found Then when all have been done stand on their tip end and see how close they come out. Remebred the heavy reference blade. I mark this with a V and then this is now the target for the other two........ Place the others on the reference blade balance point position marked on them and then I add weight to make it balance - Balsaloc normally does the trick.... Once they all balance at the same span position its back to the comparison with the reference blade.... Again weight is added to the lighterblade but this time at the span balance point, until they match the heavy blade. Once this is all done the blades are covered in film and strips added to suit your style.... FINALLY, back to the balancer to check, again find the heavy blade and then match the other two to this, as you see below the blade on the right was light and needed a small piece, again at the span balance point. So now all three should have the same span balance point and be the same weight.... SIMPLE and very rewarding Steve Edited By Steve Jones 2 on 20/09/2014 22:08:12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Jones Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Hi again The project had come un stuck for a short while due to the fact i had no glue left . So i have been to B&Q and got some glue . Super Glue and some No More Nails wood glue . And this is where i am at . Cheers Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 So final job of linking up the tail, installing the electrics and I even found a domed prop nut..... Maiden tomorrow !! Steve Edited By Steve Jones 2 on 20/09/2014 22:10:49 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Looking good Steve... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Jones Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Cheers Steve, Thanks for the info on balancing the blades . I balanced my blades for my auto G , but did not know enough as i added weight after they where covered by sticking extra tape onto the outer of the lighter blades . Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 Here are a few snaps taken today of Steve's Atom Special which took to the air for the first time. I also let others have a go with mine to see what they think, managed to get a bit of video footage of them both together and having a mid air! luckily damage was minimal with a broken prop and a wheel rim popping off. Rich Edited By Richard Harris on 21/09/2014 19:41:09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Elliot Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Well I was one of the lucky ones who managed to get a go with Richs' Atom today and I have to say it flys every bit as good as it looks. If anyone is even tempted with the pull out plan then my advice is do it! Rich E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Well, As both Rich's report the Maiden went Ok, really pleased... First take off was a little scarey as after a short run into wing it lept into the air with an alarming 70 deg nose up attitude... "Blimey those blades produce some lift....." came the cry from onlookers - quite a complement !! However the nose up attitude was not right. My increase of blade chord to 52mm compared to the AJ blades 44mm seemed to have a big effect. After a suggestion to add more shim to reduce the lift , I was running only 0.4mm (1/64", I added another to make it 0.8mm or 1/32". Next attempt with a little forward trim and we were up and running - much better and after flying the battery out ... well chuffed! Final change was to change the prop from the 10x6 to a 10x4.7 slow fly. This gave a reduction in current and a better balance of power delivery through the throttle range. A few more flights and I think Mr. Harris you have another winner on your hands . Hopefully with t eplan now issued there will be plenty more taking to the sky ..... Steve Edited By Steve Jones 2 on 21/09/2014 21:24:10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Stevens Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Being a lazy type I enquired after the laser cut pack at my hobby store butt they bad no details.Can anyone advise whenthis will be available?ThanksMike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 Mike, David Ashby should be able to give you a rough idea of when they are available, if he doesn't see this drop him a pm. There really is not a lot to it though, a couple of hours and you can get all the bits cut out. The trickier FG parts are available through coolwind. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Whiting 1 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 A really nice trio, looking forward to starting my build. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 Here is a very short video taken yesterday of Steve Jones 2 flying his Atom Special, goes well Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Nash Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I was given the opportunity to be a test pilot yesterday with Rich's "Atom Special". Top marks Rich, you have another wonderful flyer. There was a mild wind, not too strong, and it allowed me to feel if there were any surprises. There were none. I have to say it flies as well as it looks. Due to the small fuzz it does not get much effect from the wind, and Rich has the engine power just right. Enough to make it shift if needed, but also give a long flight time. Thanks mate for allowing me the pleasure of flying your “Atom Special”. Now I am not saying anything other than I return her in the same good condition you let me have it, unlike others! LOL Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Jones Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Well i hope it flies better than my Auto G did yesterday , needless to say i have repairs to do . I got speaking to a club member and he reported the same problems that i was having , slow response needing to be flown by using all three controls , power , ruder , head . i take it auto gyros are not as easy as planes to fly demanding more input from the flyer ? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levanter Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Richard. Two questions: Would the Atom or any autogiro work off floats? Is there a suitable 4st IC option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 For 4 stroke ic I would suggest the Panther. I have one with an ASP 52 and it looks and sounds glorious Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Stevens Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Thanks Richard. I have been ordering some hardware but heads are in short supply. I will contact David and see if there is any news on availability. If no joy then I have copied the plan ready to cut. Always been fascinated with gyros for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Yes Steve, they are different to fly.... rudder and throttle !,,, My suggestion is back to basics and get help ......I resorted to the buddy box and iT helped Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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