Seasider Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 Hi all, Well here's my WIP for an autogyro. I'm actually in the process of moving house/jobs and so all the LEGO is packed away safely ready for the move. So this model is a first for me in the fact that I'm using LDD to design the model. This is proving tricky as I build by eye along, not scaled from drawings, I like to make 'my impression of' models, and so when building with physical bricks things get built and ripped apart lots of times. So while I'm away in hotels during the week I've been grabbing the odd hour in the evenings to start this. Not sure when I'll actually finish it, i can't see it being in Jan/Feb, but at some stage I'll also convert it to real bricks. The plan is to use the blades from the new cargo plane for the engines props and the large blades from the recent big helicopter to do the 2 main rotors. The model will also have full controls working from the cockpit ... rudder and control stick ... so as you'll see i've used the cargo planes control stick design ... but it'll need tweaking as somehow this needs to get transfered up the lift rotor shaft. Next update ... next sunday Quote
DrJB Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 Looks very nice ... can't wait for the whole set. Now, what type of functions are you planning? Quote
Seasider Posted January 19, 2014 Author Posted January 19, 2014 Looks very nice ... can't wait for the whole set. Now, what type of functions are you planning? The pistons will move when the engine prop is rotated Rudder pedals in cockpit will operate a central rudder on the tail plane assembly Control stick in the cockpit will adjust pitch and roll of the lift rotor assembly (hopefully similar to a real autogyro) It'll be PF/RC/HOG free ! Quote
whale2 Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 We need remote controlled technic figure to operate this :) Quote
Junpei Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 Wow, it's awesome so far! I love the joystick controls, and it's amazing that it's all built in LDD; in my opinion, something (especially Technic) built in LDD is a million times harder than in real life, and you accomplished it! TLH Quote
TinkerBrick Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 Is this supposed to become something like "Little Nellie" from the James Bond Movie "You only live twice". Like with all the gadget like machine guns and rockets etc. Anyway, I like the simple idea behind those gryrocopters, they seem to be a lot of fun and far less complicated than helicopters. Quote
Seasider Posted January 26, 2014 Author Posted January 26, 2014 Tinker - no sorry its just going to be a normal autogyro ... not a little nellie with weapons So here is the progress from this weeks stay in hotels I am finding it a lot harder working with LDD rather than physical bricks ! been working on the lift rotor assembly, although I'm still not happy with the bulk where the blades attach ... would like to thin this down to a half width beam top and bottom around the blades ... and also i've schemed up the rear tailplane and rudder ... and worked out some relative positions please ignore ... the colours ! ... random beams and axles jus used to position things ... the wheels ... there for an idea of what size to use Enjoy ... Quote
Seasider Posted February 2, 2014 Author Posted February 2, 2014 I think I'm on the home stretch now. Worked out how to get the pitch and roll connected, raised the engine by one stud, changed the rotorhead slightly and put a spring in to return the lift rotor to a default position Only the rudder to link up out of all the mechs The just the frame/bodywork to stitch together and the wheels to sort Might grow the tailplane slightly ... not sure yet Quote
DrJB Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Good Progress. What does the chain do? I can't help but remember a course in aerodynamics I took years ago ... that 2-blade propellers are inherently 'unstable' ... Quote
unimog123 Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Very cool. Looking forward to finished product! Quote
Seasider Posted February 3, 2014 Author Posted February 3, 2014 DrJB - the chain is for pitching the main (lift) rotor. As to the 2 blades, that's how autogyros are! Quote
DrJB Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 DrJB - the chain is for pitching the main (lift) rotor. As to the 2 blades, that's how autogyros are! Thank You. Quote
Seasider Posted February 12, 2014 Author Posted February 12, 2014 Time for a big update from me ... it's almost finished ! I just have to connect the rudder control shafts together (which is proving to be a pain) ... but apart from that it's all done! Definitely going to build it out of bricks once I've finished the house move. Enjoy ... Quote
Alasdair Ryan Posted February 12, 2014 Posted February 12, 2014 (edited) Time for a big update from me ... it's almost finished ! Really.....you think so? Google images. Edited February 12, 2014 by Alasdair Ryan Quote
JM1971 Posted February 12, 2014 Posted February 12, 2014 Needs a James Bond technic figure, nice work in LDD :) Quote
Seasider Posted February 12, 2014 Author Posted February 12, 2014 Alasdiar, i don't understand what you think is missing ? I was intending it to be a single seater open cockpit version. Also wanted to make it similar style to me glider from the triple competition and keep it modelled by beams with a framework and not completely covered. if you look at your link some autogyros are very basic ! Quote
Alasdair Ryan Posted February 12, 2014 Posted February 12, 2014 (edited) Alasdiar, i don't understand what you think is missing ? I was intending it to be a single seater open cockpit version. Also wanted to make it similar style to me glider from the triple competition and keep it modelled by beams with a framework and not completely covered. if you look at your link some autogyros are very basic ! What I was meaning was that there is no body to it, also it is quite square. How about using some technic panels to try and improve the look? Edited February 12, 2014 by Alasdair Ryan Quote
Seasider Posted February 12, 2014 Author Posted February 12, 2014 Ahh right i get you now i tried to use some panels then found it was getting bigger and i just didn't like it so i decided to switch to the beam/frame style of build. as to it being a bit blunt a i tried to get it rounded at least by using the cranked beams and the flex axles. Quote
Seasider Posted April 23, 2014 Author Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) Hello everyone, So at the end of Feb I moved house and jobs (a 200 mile move!) and then I was without internet for some 6 weeks (really annoying). I'd given up on the Autogyro in LDD as I was unhappy with the nose, couldn't get the rudder connected properly and also had solved how to get the front wheel to turn with the rudder pedals. So in the mean time I'd bought these three beauties. Honest, I didn't buy the big Heli and Cargo Plane just for the props for my Autogyro !!!!!!! And so last week after peaking back onto the forum and noticing the lack of completed JFAIR builds I dusted off the laptop, fired up LDD and built the Autogyro in real bricks and got to problem solving the way I like by trial and error with the real stuff. and so here it is the completed Autogyro. First some stats .... Flat 4 engine with exhaust powering drive prop Working control column for pitch and roll of lift rotor Working rudder pedals which turn both the rudder and front wheel So here's some pictures (I might try and take some in daylight against a white background when I get a chance) Main lift rotor pitches and rolls (linked to control column) View of undercarriage The Cockpit ... unfortunately the dials don't work! Flat 4 engine with exhaust Working Rudder Pedals Yes it's that BIG ! Hope you enjoyed it. There's a few tweaks I could do but isn't there always with MOCs ? Edited April 23, 2014 by Seasider Quote
DrJB Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) Very nice, and quite different from the original design. I can't help but 'notice' that it appears rather front-heavy ... Isn't the main rotor (for lift) supposed to be about above the CG? Then again ... I'm no expert in Gyro-Copters design. So, unlike regular helicopters that use the main propeller for lift and moving forward/sideways ... all controlled by the swash plate (cyclic/collective), the rear prop is just to counter the rotation induced by the main rotor. In a Gyrocopter, there are three components and each has a very separate function: Main prop for lift, second prop to push vehicle forward, and rudders for steering. I guess the level of complexity (in real machines) is much less than in normal helicopters ... Edited April 25, 2014 by DrJB Quote
Seasider Posted April 25, 2014 Author Posted April 25, 2014 Well in reality the 'exterior' panels on one of these are normally plastic/composite so relatively light. but I understand your comment. What I might try and do is modify the main rotor head and pull it forward by a few studs to try and balance it a bit better. Not going to change the nose of it though as that has been one of the main issues with the model and it took me long enough to get to this point ! Quote
DrJB Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Looks nice as it is ... only concern I had is ... if I build it and decide to hang it from the ceiling with a fishing line ... it'll tip forward. Nicely done ... and I've learned something new. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.