Gyrator (oz14089)

About this Plan

Gyrator. Free flight sport helicopter model.

Quote: "Second in a series of copter experiments the Gyrator is a device to prove previously established criteria.

The Gyrator is not a complete machine, flying-wise that is, it acts more like a rocket, going up out-of-sight and falling to earth when power is spent; it is, as its name implies, trying to make a point. This is the second in a series of probes into 'what makes' with model helicopters.

Having lofted the Gyro-copter (oz10184), we have since then made many considerable flights with this type of machine, hoping somehow to find that it was a helicopter, but to no avail, everything pointed to the fact that gyroscopic force was the dominating factor - there was only one thing to do, prove the point conclusively by building a 'Flying Gyroscope,' (No rotors). This we did. A 13 in diameter wheel of 1/16' wire replaced the rotors, and constituted our gyro, It more than proved our contention - going up higher and higher it faded from sight into the clear blue sky, as we walked downwind, scanning the empty sky, someone shouted, 'There it is.' A momentary glint of reflected sun-light streaking downward from high up - was this it? Fortunately we had someone out there' who was near enough to see the 're-entry' and track it down for a successful recovery.

The Gyrator's stability, and effective climb was far better than the many 'rotor jobs' including the Gyro-Copter, that we had previously built, the obvious reason was that it was a better gyroscope, it held the engine steadier, giving it the chance to maintain its high rpm, which in turn lifted more, and stabilized better by maintaining higher gyro rpm.

One of the faults of a Rotor-type machine of this sort is that the blades get knocked out of place and destroy the gyro by imbalance, and the next flight is a wumping, wobbling affair that ultimately dives into the ground under power, with the rotors taking additional beating. It has been noted that helicopters are inefficient and need the utmost in power, This is essentially true, with model as well as full size. Rotors on the full size helicopters are more than ample as gyros but need all possible power for lift. On the other hand the model engine must howl, not erdy for lift, but to provide, by torque-reaction, an effective gyroscope to provide its own stability. This then, is the Gyrator, climbing into the sky.

Primarily it is a co-axial, counter-rotating gyroscope, engine prop as the minor gyro, 13 in 'wheel' as the major gyro. A good solid set up. That the minor gyro lifts is incidental..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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