Richard Harris Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I have been having a clear out in my shed and came across my second ever OD autogyro (orange one), built back in 2006/2007. The first flew well (blue one)but was built light and used micro servos for the head control! every time it had a bump it was quite and effort to rebuild her. The original was scrapped and a second model soon followed, this was built stronger but lighter. Unfortunately the MK II never did fly great but it wasnt until recently that I realised the delta flapping head was around the wrong way! Mk I Bandit flew well MK II flew 'not s well' Before the airframe is scrapped I decided to draw it up with some modifications to make it a 2 blade compatible. I flew my Panther on a 2 blade head as an experiment and it was rock solid in the air but the tail was just too close for comfort So ' El Bandito' as I have called it will be 2 blade friendly I hope! The electrics arrived a few weeks ago and building commensed soon after. Being just a box fuselage it has gone together very quickly and has turned oout surprisingly light for me. A few photos of the build, as you can see the mast is removable and runs down slides built into the formers. Two 4mm bolts are built into the base of the mast and protrude through the bottom of the fuselage. A spread washer is added underneath to spread the load and the whole lot is in slight compression so as the fuselage and mast become 'as one'. This idea was used in the construction of the Panther and has proved durable and strong. Inner formers made up with an slide runners for mast fitment Fuselage after a couple of hours balsa bashing Battery hatch Mast consists of a 6mm centre core, laminated each side with 1.5mm thick balsa with grain running 45 degrees and apposing each side. 4mm bolts are inset into ply wedges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 21, 2012 Author Share Posted September 21, 2012 Ran out of room. Simple fuselage with mast slotted into position Close up f the mast slotting into position. The head has to move in all planes and is hinged accordingly. Three birch ply laminates, the centre having cut outs for big pin hinges was soon cut out and epoxied together. Centre sections with cut outs for pin hinges. Fibre glass control arm made up and slotted into the top assembly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 21, 2012 Author Share Posted September 21, 2012 And again! Next I turned to the front end and built up thick soft balsa sheet around the electric motor. Hacked and sanded away until I was happy with a rough shape....and rough it is!! Tail feathers are made from 6mm thick depron t keep weight down, mounted on a mount comprising of 13mm triangular section and a 1.5mm thick balasa mount slapped on the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 21, 2012 Author Share Posted September 21, 2012 This is where I was at a few days ago, I have since added trim but have not yet taken any snaps. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 21, 2012 Author Share Posted September 21, 2012 Just stopped raining so went in the back garden and took a few up to date snaps. Just need to make up a pair of rotors and get all the electrics in but I don't think the weather wants to play ball this weekend so its looking doubtful on a maiden. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Looks great! I keep threatening to build a gyro but never have ,now i'm retired i'll have a go at one Was you'rs a plan or kit?I would like to do an old design with the radial engin(plastic over the leky motor) Any ideas would be greatfully recived . Let me know how you'rs handels ? I't looks a load of fun . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 24, 2012 Author Share Posted September 24, 2012 Bernie, Mines just an Own Design, I will let you know how it goes when I am able to get out and try it. One of Jaun del la Cierva designs would make an ideal candidate for what you are looking for, he did over 40 MK'S and 95% of them were fitted with radial engines. Robotbirds do sell a styrofoam C30, its a little on the small side and because of the matrial used is a bit brittle 'in an event'. But I am told they do fly well. HobbyKing also sell a built up C30, these will only fly with some modifications as they are a touch on the heavy side. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 24, 2012 Author Share Posted September 24, 2012 Here are the links to the models suggested above. LA C30 (Robotbirds) C30 (HobbyKing) Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Thanks Richard, I'll look into jaun del la Cierva designs ,Now i have plenty of time on my hands i could get stuck in to making one .cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 Bernie..do it!, if you are a fixed wing flier are sure to enjoy flight characteristics. I have progressed a little further but not much due to work commiments. The spindle being used is an old master airscrew 500 gearbox, I have started making a bespoke spindle but will fly it as is for the time being. 2 pairs of blades have been cobbled up, the first smaller set uses Aerobalsa blades (see link) AEROBALSA These have had their tips faced with Glass Fibre sheet for added rigidity. Second set is a set I made up which are a little wider, these have already been test flown on a model and worked well. As you can see both sets have got weights added towards the tips, this is a must with any two bladed rotor. The plate to which the blades are mounted has to be flexible, I have made mine from 1.5mm Fibre Glass sheet though I may try some thinner stuff if i can locate some. You will aslo notice that the blade root ends are are angled, this alters the angle of attack of the blade into negative as the blade is pushed upwards. At the spin up stage this negative incidence helps rotor spin making it quicker. And one last snap of it fitted with its blades, they need to be balanced and covered then its time to take it out for a crash test. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted October 6, 2012 Author Share Posted October 6, 2012 Managed to get out this morning for some trimming flights but I ran out of right trim on my transmitter. So a bit of mechanical adjustments and I escaped out again this evening. I did get a few flights in and it certainly shows potential but 'Sod's Law' came into effect as the camera started rolling and I ended up making a pilot error as I came round for a 'touch and go'. I entered it in a yaw turn and I was unable to correct resulting in a tip over to the right. Damage sustained was a broken roll servo out put arm plus the rudder pulled out and a bit of egg on my face! Will make the repairs tomorrow and try again. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 She looks nice Rich and looks good flying ,I decided not to jump in with both feet but take it bit cautious i have built one of Tom Wrights crane fly trainers and get the feel on it then i will try something more advaced . bernie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Franks Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Good morning I hope you are all wee and keeping sane lock down is giving building time to finish my El bandito but I have a couple of questions please if anyone can help// (1) The C of G position on the plan is the balance point at the point where the arrow is shown on the plan IE to balance on a point at the top of the hatch or can it be any vertical point down from that line(if you have the plan I hope that makes sense) (2) was going to use an OS30 4Stroke but may make it a bit nose heavy. What electric motor can anyone recommend to suit. Regards Richard Franks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted January 12, 2021 Author Share Posted January 12, 2021 Hi Richard, To answer your first question, the balance point shown can be taken anywhere in its vertical plane just like a fixed wing, I did this as most who try autogyros are fixed wing pilots and they are more comfortable with this method. Its been a few years since I built this model and it was moved to a new owner, when I get time later I will dig out the plan and see if I added any of the motor information I used at the time to which I will find suitable set up for you. That said the OS 30 four stroke would sound nice in it, you could always move the receiver battery back to suit? or even shorten the nose. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted January 12, 2021 Author Share Posted January 12, 2021 Richard, If I were to build this model again I would go with a motor like THIS , swinging an 11 - 12" prop off a 3s 2200 - 3000mah Lipo. There are probably cheaper alternatives but you pay for what you get. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Franks Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Hi richard El Bndito nearly finished and will be progressing blades today hopefully. Looking for next build its between RPG V2 or Revolver 11 . not sure on the rotor lengths or which would be best any comments from the master Will try to post pics of El Bandito soon Thanks richard Franks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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