imsofaman

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I have designed my own autogyro. It has a 48" span and i have powered it with a AXI 2820-12, 4000 three cell lipos and a 12X6 prop. It has turned out really nice and i am very proud of it. At first....I had a fixed angle of attack, I then opted for the direct pitch control. Works out much better.

Here is a link to my video..... http://home.att.net/~rc_aviator2/dag1testflight.wmv

floridagyro

Congratulations!! I didn't see it land in the video. I assume it was successful.

I think I see some resemblance to the Kellett.

What are you using for rotor blades?

Phil

imsofaman

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I make my own blades. I use 3" SIG airfoil shaped balsa, trim the trailing edge off so they are 2 1/8 wide. That big fat trailing edge goes away once the neg. pitch is sanded in and the Clark Y is finished on top. I use 3/32 music wire on the leading edge for strength and it weights the rotors to keep them spinning. See my illustration for my sanding explination....

I have plans available...I am not finished with the building CD. I have to complete another gyro to make the photos. PM me if interested.

imsofaman

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My model is the DAG-1. I designed it for the beginner to intermediate flyer. It is a scratch build plan 36" X 52 with building guide CD.

I have MJP Carbon making my rotor plates for me now. They are made of G-10 Garolite figerglass. The fuselage is your basic stick constuction. The mast is a lamination of balsa and plywood. I show you how to make your blades yourself! No need to spend a small fortune on gyro blades! Do it yourself, I will show you how!

48" rotor span, can be powered by electric or glow (I will be making a glow powered gyro soon with a .30 four stroke), I like using Trexler #11 tires, 1/8 music wire landing gear, Master Airscrew speed 500 gearbox is used for the rotors.

Any questions...just ask! You are going to like the way it flies!

I hope to post some new video this weekend it the weather will let me!!!

PM me if interested. [link=http://home.att.net/~imsofaman/dag1page.htm]DAG-1 Autogyro[/link]

Below are photos from my build CD.

imsofaman

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I will be doing a build thread soon. The thread will be the glow version with an OS .26 FS mounted. This will be a lot of fun!

Update.....I have updated the print to mount either mini or standard size servos. The standards are heavier....but are much more strong!

imsofaman

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I like to do ROGs with my gyro. With the gear I have designed...it is possible....but sometime it can be a little squirely. I added a rear brace to the landing gear. Adding not too much weight and it really stiffens up the gear and the ROG is easy now. Photos attached.

imsofaman

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I am currently fabricating a DAG-1 powered by an OS26FS. My little four stroker has hardly been used. Lots of power for a small motor, it should fly my gyro well. The build is coming together nice! I am very happy with it so far. I will start covering very soon. Please let me know what you think of my design. [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=429560]DAG-1 Build guide[/link] I hope to fly this new version soon. if you have an idea fo a good covering scheme...please post an idea. I am open for suggestions. I have one that has the military trainer colors. I would like something different.

imsofaman

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More photos...

imsofaman

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Ready to cover!!!!! What do you guys think????

imsofaman

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Here are a few photos from one of my customers in England. I think he is doing an awesome job! I would like to see more customer's work! Please post a photo if you have started your DAG-1!

imsofaman

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I did a little modification on my glow version. I am getting it ready for Sunday. I hope it will be a good day for flying. I decided to make a small cockpit for it. Got the pilot mounted. Look at his face...he is ready to hit the wild blue yonder!

imsofaman

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My glow version is done....trimmed out and ready to fly. Weather and family permitteing.....Sunday should be a lot of fun!

imsofaman

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Hey guys! It has been a while since I have posted anything about the DAG-1. I have been wanting to do some R&D work but time and back probelms have been holding me back.

I finally got the chance to try one of my ideas of coupling the direct pitch head to a elevator on the horz. stab. I was thinking that the gyro flew well. But it seemded to hesitate with the input of the direct pitch. I went and cut the elevator portion out of the horz. stab., it is more than wide enough. I then hinged it and dropped in a servo. I coupled the two using a Y harness.

I have less throw on down movement that I do for up movement. I NEVER use down when flying normal. But in the case of a huge gust a wind and it noses up....I can recover with the down input.

The tests have been great. I flies now EXACTLY where I point it. It is a reall pleasure to fly. It will do loops but I have not tried rolls yet. The gro in the video is my prototype. It havs been with me since the beginning. I finally laid it to rest last weekend. I am building a new one as I write. (Glue is drying)

Please check out my movies below.

Dave

[link=http://media.putfile.com/DAG-1-RD-5]R&D Video[/link]

[link=http://media.putfile.com/DAG-1-81306-elevator-upgrade-test-flight]Flying the elevator/D.Pitch head[/link]

teufelhund

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Hi Dave, I ordered the plans from you a few moths back and this is what I have accomplished so far. I am constructing another set of lighter landing gear just in case this set proves to heavy. It is fully functional with oleo struts absorbing much of the shock loads. By the way what is the weight that I should be shooting for(AUW)? Thanks for a good looking autogyro! Ben

imsofaman

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Ben....your gyro is looking AWESOME!!!!! You may really want to go with the elevator upgrade. It makes a huge difference in control. Also....make sure you have 6 degrees in the down thrust for the motor. This makes the gyro fly liter. Less down thrust makes the gyro fly really heavy...turning....you drop altitude, constant fighting the pitch to keep it in the air. Down thrust is very important.

I will weigh the glow version in the morning. I would think it is maybe 3 1/2 lbs. But I want to make sure. Glow version.....add maybe 3/4 lbs for nicads. I have flown the electric version with 10 cell nicads. It flew fine. It must have been really heavy!

I need to cover my gyro with something bright this time. When it is dusk......I get VERY disoriented if it is too far away.

Please keep me informed on the progress!!!!

Dave

imsofaman

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Ben....also...that landing gear is just outrageous! Nice design work. I would like to know some details on that please. It may not be too heavy. Lt's see how it all balances out.

By the way......can I send some photos of what you have done to my other customers to show them different options?

I would like to post your photos on my site please...OK?


Dave

imsofaman

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Empty gas tank, standard servos, standard high torque digitals on the head, 3.75 lbs. For electric...maybe 4.5 to 5 lbs. dpending on the batteries you use.

teufelhund

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Hi Dave, I don't think I am going to have any problems with the weight since I put the gyro with motor and everything required for flight, less fuel on the scales and came up to 3.2 lbs. Mind you also that most were still in their packing boxes. Please feel free to incorporate anything you wish into your website. As for the downthrust I built the fuse sides directly over the plans and was going to increase or reduce same when I began testing flights. By the way the oleos will have some balsa fairings on th back side of them also. Ben

teufelhund

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Oh yea, I am definately going with the elevator mod also just for the added control. I noticed on the plans that standard servos(41oz) could be used? I have two Futaba S3010's on the head, overkill perhaps? Ben

teufelhund

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Dave, the landing gear is constructed from 1/8 music wire for the mains with K&S 1/8, 5/32, 7/32, and 3/16 tube( for the oleo struts) with 1/4 in sq strips acting as attachment points. A piece of .064 aluminum cut to size acts as the central attachment point for the central mains/fuse. All of this was silver soldered together. Oh, the two braces soldered on top of the mains going to the fuse are 3/32 wire with brass fittings screwed into the fuse. I can send you a hand drawn pic of the construction as this is what I used in constructing the gear if you like. I have construction photos of the whole building phase and can post some more of the gear and some other changes I have made if you like. Please don't consider my changing these things to reflect any unsound or perceived problems with your design. I don't see any problems at all, and have changed what I did purely for my own interest and the aesthetic appeal that "I" want. Ben

imsofaman

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Standard servos for the head are recommended. i even wint with digital high torques. The more torque the better because of the gyro effect of the spinning rotors wanting to tip in a oval pattern as the rpms go up and down. Originally...I went twith the mini servo and had problems with gusts of wind knocking me around. The servos took care of it.

Make sure when landing....as you touch down...tip the head head slightly down to prevent a tail strike. I had one last week end that was pretty nasty!!!!

Looking forward to seeing some detailed drawings of that nice landing gear you have designed. Great job again!

Dave

imsofaman

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[link=http://home.att.net/~imsofaman/dag1page.htm]DAG-1 Autogyro Page[/link]

teufelhund

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Hi all, I'm getting a little closer to the maiden day by day...I still have a few things to work out. Ben

imsofaman

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Did you make the blades as per the print or did you purchase them? What size motor are you using? That is one NICE looking gyro!!!!

Dave

teufelhund

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Hi Dave, I bought the blades (Aerobalsa). I do plan on trying to make them per your plans for a giant (25 cc gas) Dag 1, if all goes well with this gyro. I am using the Mag XL .28 on this one. Thanks for the compliments, Dave. Ben