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Rotodyne - 3/29/2003 9:19 AM   
Scott J-RCU


 

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From: Tulsa,Ok.
Status: offline 		Hey Gang, I'm looking for 3-veiws of the Rotodyne. So far I've been unsuccessful. Any ideas?

Thanks

Scott

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Rotodyne - 3/29/2003 10:14 AM   
floridagyro



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From: Wimauma, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Scott,

A few pictures at this site and a real large video clip.

http://www.hofstra.edu/CampusL/Culture/Autogiro/Autogiro_gallery20_22.cfm#gallery20

Phil

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Rotodyne - 4/7/2003 2:49 PM   
steve-kerry


 

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From: Hull, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Oh yes indeed, I've had the Fairey Rotodyne on my building list for a while now. I've got a good number of pictures, an Airfix kit (very useful and has a set of 3-views!) and even some promotional films on video. What a glorious machine! I can send you the 3-views if you want, but you really should get the Airfix kit yourself. Having a 3-D model in your hands really helps to visualise things.

Jim Morley (of Morley Helicopters) made a Rotodyne as a helicopter, it did fly but it had a rotor diameter of 60" and weighed FOURTEEN POUNDS!!!

Biggest problem I could see with an autogyro Rotodyne was the rotors hitting the tail. There isn't much clearance even when the rotor disk is sitting flat, when you rake it back things get pretty tight. It won't stop me having a go, but there are other projects on my building list as well. Mine would be electric, of course

How about a McDonnell XV-1 Convertiplane?
http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/graphics/hist071b.htm

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Rotodyne - 4/14/2003 12:41 AM   
Scott J-RCU


 

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From: Tulsa,Ok.
Status: offline 		Thanks for the replies guys. Sorry for the delay , I've been out of town. I've also been looking at the XV-1 for an electric project. Another one I like is the CarterCopter
Right now I'm working on a GWS powered Hiller Flying Platform.
Thanks again,
Scott


< Message edited by Scott J-RCU -- Apr 13 2003 7:55PM >

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Rotodyne - 4/16/2003 1:48 PM   
steve-kerry


 

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From: Hull, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Okay, here's a question for the technical types to ponder.

The full size Rotodyne used tipjets to get the rotors up to speed, then switched them off and went into autorotation for most of the flight. For landing, the tipjets were re-ignited (looks cool!) which kept the rotors turning for hovering flight. There was no torque with this system, so no tail rotors were needed.

The rotor disk was completely flat, no rake whatsoever. So, how did it autorotate? Will that work with a model?

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Rotodyne - 4/17/2003 1:46 PM   
Spindizzy



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From: West Sussex, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Hello Steve

I must point out I am not by any means an expert but this doesn’t stop me having an opinion on things…hehe.

I have various videos of the Rotodyne as well as contact with a few folks who know quite a lot about it. I probably can’t give a definitive answer but here goes anyway.

If you look at early autogyros like the Pitcairn series PCA-1 and on, they had what appeared to be no rake at all. In fact they had a couple of degrees aft rake and a small tilt toward the retreating blade.
On the Rotodyne it also has a very small aft rake angle which is countered by a small thrust from the props on both engines.

I recall that when in autorotation the main rotor actually spins slower than when using the tip jets giving rise to a higher coning angle, this in itself would present a larger area of disc to the oncoming airflow. In addition when viewed from the side while in flight the Rotodyne does fly slightly tail low when in autorotation increasing its effective rake.

The lowest rake angle I have ever managed to fly a model autogyro is 4 degrees. This was with a very reduced hang angle and was not exactly stable in pitch. I don’t recommend it !

You could always visit the helicopter museum in Weston-Super-Mare, it has the Rotodyne head as well as a section of the fuselage and one rotor blade...might be some info there on it also ??

Cheerio

Sean

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Rotodyne - 4/17/2003 3:14 PM   
steve-kerry


 

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From: Hull, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		I've been wanting to visit that museum for a long time, unfortunately it's on the other side of the country for me! Maybe this year I will do it. I once asked them about the Rotodyne and they suggested I come and take a look, and see if I could find some of the pieces! I didn't realise it had been sliced up that badly

My only concern with a Rotodyne model is with the rotor striking the fins, particularly as I want the fins vertical rather than slanted outwards. If the coning angle is equal to the mast rake, that would at least keep the rear half of the disk parallel to the fuselage in flight. But the blades still need to come up to speed before they will cone properly.

Is there any merit in having an adjustable rake angle? I wasn't planning on a DC head since the Rotodyne will always have airflow over the control surfaces. If I could keep the mast vertical while getting the rotors up to speed, then tilt it back for flight - would that cause horrible problems at takeoff, just when I don't need them?

A flying test bed would be a very good place to start, just a stick fuselage with rudimentary wings and tail surfaces, and a couple of motors to experiment with.

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Rotodyne - 4/17/2003 10:54 PM   
Spindizzy



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From: West Sussex, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		If I were to make an attempt at building a scale Rotodyne it would have DC roll on the head and a normal elevator. I used this method on my latest autogyro with excellent results. It also means you can use a lower mast as the aft tilt is fixed.

I also built a gyro a while back with a fixed mast and stub wings with ailerons as well as elevator and rudder control. it was not successful and had poor control authority in roll, a DC roll control would have cured this. With the ailerons inboard as the Rotodyne would be I doubt the airflow would be sufficient for control unless the model was flying really fast or at high throttle settings using the propwash.

Ever thought about building the forerunner ? The 'Jet Gyrodyne' ?

Sean

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Rotodyne - 4/19/2003 3:51 PM   
steve-kerry


 

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From: Hull, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		The Gyrodyne isn't as pretty as the Convertiplane, and neither of them are as pretty as the Rotodyne

Thinking about a test bed, it should probably have DC rotor control on both axes and conventional control surfaces. It would soon establish which ones were the most effective and practical, and they would be used in the proper version. After all, that's what test beds are for...

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Rotodyne - 4/21/2003 9:36 AM   
Scott J-RCU


 

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From: Tulsa,Ok.
Status: offline 		Thanks for all the info. I may try to build a CarterCopter first as I already have 3-views in Autocad. Has anyone built a CC yet? Any suggestions on size for a 12-cell Astro 15G electric, maybe 60oz. ?

Scott

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