Jump to content

Panther Trainer Autogyro


Richard Harris
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • 4 months later...
On 29/01/2021 at 18:37, Richard Harris said:

Joakim,

As Tim suggests the wooden blades are straight forward to construct though the 3D printed versions seem to fly just as well.

Here is a video taken at our one and only get together last year, there is a Panther taking off at around 2.43 which has printed blades designed by Ian Smith. These are made in segments attached onto a carbon spar, the MK1 versions taped together but I believe the latest interlock together. If a blade gets damaged the segments can be replaced quickly and easily, its all very clever.

The tri plate is easy enough to make yourself, I print out the triangle onto paper and spray glue it onto the GF sheet, then cut out using tin snips before filing and sanding to shape.
Aluminium for the UC can be bought from DB Sport and scale.
 
Rich

Hi Rich, I've just got my shiny new 3D printer (Artillery X1) and fancy having a go at printing some blades for my Atom and Panther models.

Where can I locate the STL files suitable for these models? I've looked at the 'Files' section for the group but don't see them there.

The ones that you say interlock sound interesting.  Any advice on the printing side would be appreciated, for example which type of material etc.

Many thanks

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, David Oatham said:

Hi Rich, I've just got my shiny new 3D printer (Artillery X1) and fancy having a go at printing some blades for my Atom and Panther models.

Where can I locate the STL files suitable for these models? I've looked at the 'Files' section for the group but don't see them there.

The ones that you say interlock sound interesting.  Any advice on the printing side would be appreciated, for example which type of material etc.

Many thanks

Dave

Dave,

 

I think there are STL files on our FB group for blades, there will also be a simple model on Coolwinds site free to print shortly.

 

Rich

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

Panther is now receiving some attention after a long lay off in the build process. Got to the stage where I need to build a rotor plate. Thought I had some 1.5mm fiberglass board as detailed on the plan, but the borrows appear to have taken it. Do have some thin aluminium plate, so could I use that as a substitute material?  Thickness of the aluminium is in the region of 1mm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andy. I don't think aluminium will work as it needs to spring back into place, aluminium wont spring back if you push it too far. Epoxy glass board us completely different properties. I'm building an autogyro at the moment and I got some epoxy board from Leeds model shop, my usual source Malcolm from Coolwind seems to be having a break at present. Hopefully Malcolm will be back soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes did look at the Coolwind site and saw that they are currently closed. Plenty of 1.5mm board on ebay, but most of it appears to be located in the far east. Will try a further search using 'epoxy glass'. Did think aluminium was not suitable as previously I had seen post that suggested the plate needs to flex slightly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I found this post on page 10:

 

Quote

Rich,

I slight problem with the Pitch servo location.

I think it may be worth moving its position down the mast by a few millimeters, as I'm finding that the mounting lugs are very close/clash with the Lower Mast Support.

I'm going to have to relieve the Lower support a little to clear the servo lug,

 

Malcolm

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After reading the all thread, I have compiled this list of errata building from the plan, hope this helps other also.

 

- Head support brackets (Tongues) Birch Ply wood preferred over Lite Ply

- Left/Pitch servo lower by ~5mm, mounting lugs too close to Lower Mast Support
- Hatch Base H3: 20mm too long, side view is correct

- Pivot head hole 15mm from the top instead of 20mm, side view is correct

- Under Carriage aluminum drill hole 30mm from center, 35mm on the plan is incorrect
- Engine right trust 2 degrees not mentioned on the plan
- On the side view, the labelling of LMS1 and UMS2 are reversed
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Well my Panther has now moved on in the build process with the fuselage now complete but after covering all three blades with old Solarfilm I was far from happy with the covering quality of application so ripped it all off and I am currently proceeding down the path of simply painting the blades.

However the reason I post is that I am concerned the the rotor head mount is insufficient to take the loads induced by the blades having only holes at the rear for two M2.5 screws.  There is insufficient metal to drill a third hole at the front so do you recommend that I engineer some form of shaped clamp at the front?

DSC01481 (Small).JPG

DSC01482 (Small).JPG

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andy,

 

I have my gearbox mounted the opposite way around to you with an extra hole drill in the centre of the two existing holes. 

If you are going to keep yours mounted the same as it is I would certainly add some form of strap at the front as its likely going to be forced upwards in that  orientation.

 

Nice job by the way!

 

Rich

20220107_224030.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Paul, the blade pivot hole was positioned on the chord balance point prior to covering which I subsequently removed. Had not given any thought to this aspect so will do a quick check now that the blades are painted.

How citical is the blade chord balance point?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...