Flying a Cierva C19
 

Anybody interested in the full size autogyros of before WW2 times may find this of interest. click on http://www.geocities.com/tintrax/page12.html
Colin Duthie

RE: Flying a Cierva C19
 

I should have mentioned that the Cierva C19 was made before direct control was developed, so it had elevators, rudder, and ailerons. The type written about in the article did however an early example of `rotor spin-up` by a shaft, (via a clutch) from the motor.
Colin

RE: Flying a Cierva C19
 

Hi Colin !!! Very interesting reading. Thanx for your post. Charlie Anderson

RE: Flying a Cierva C19
 

Hello Colin...

How's 'winter' in NZ? Not too cold I hope.

Anyway, I was charmed by the copy of the 1933 article you referenced. One point of puzzlement is the reference to the 'downwash' from the rotor providing sufficient airflow across the elevator for control at high angles of attack.

Regards,
Billl

RE: Flying a Cierva C19
 

Yes, Bill, that did catch my eye too. That extract was published in `Aeroplane Monthly` for September 1986. It accompanied an article written by F. Bullmore who flew an autogyro in air displays in 1936. His comments about flying are more interesting than this extract, but a bit long to reproduce here. To get the rotor spinning he operated a `deflector` lever. Not explained but probably an earlier system than shaft drive to start the rotor spinning. In this system the tailplane was tilted up at the rear to deflect propwash upwards to strike the rotor blades and get them turning.
Colin
ps. Winter has not yet arrived in NZ, but some days it feels not far off. However mild temperatures today.