I've been following this forum for a while now, because I'd really like to fly an autogyro. The impression I get is that it's not a strict science yet and there seems to be some uncertainty as to the best design. I'll just tell you what I have in mind and I would appreciate the gyro experts here offered some advice or suggestions.

I'd like to have the simplest design (mechanically) as possible, even if it lessens flight performance. I like a challenge to fly much more than adjusting linkages and hinges all over the place. From what I gather, that would be the 3 channel. Throttle, rudder and elevator. I planned on using the fuselage from one of my lighter planes, probably about a 25 to 40 size. I'd build the pylon and 3 rotor hub, and for now, probably buy aerobalsa blades. I'd remove the stock tail control surfaces and double their area.

Does this seem reasonable so far? I think so.. but heres the real issue:

It seems basic to build a pylon and stick it on a fuselage, assuming you use the proper angles and balance everything. The thing that I am still unclear on, even after reading post after post is the construction of the actual hub.

Ok we have tilting hubs and fixed right? Furthermore, we have flapping and lead-lag hinges and hinges with delta angle built in, (articulated?) but also there are rigid hubs which only lead and lag, correct? So the question is with my planned build of a 3 channel rudder/elev only, would a rigid hub work? I saw a photo of a cub converted to a gyro which used 5 blades. The hub looked very basic, just a disk with holes for attaching the blades. I think a steel ring which would attach on top of the blades might increase strength and stiffness. Just a free floating ring held on by the blade attachment bolts.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any input on what the simplest hub necessary would be for my application.