Kellett to Pitcairn
 

I always wanted to build a Pitcairn Autogyro ever since I seen the one that flew into Oshkosh many years ago.. So I took Mickeys GT-17 (aka Kellett) and then took the bottow wing off the GWS PT-17 and made a Pitcairn wing.
It flew good. Take offs were strang. Wanted to climb up quick. Maybe you can see in photo's.

Jim

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Thats very cool Jim.
I'll have to drive down and see it fly sometimes.

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Hi Jim,

Very nice gyro. Congratulations. Perhaps the wing should be a bit smaller.

Emilio

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Emilio,
I too think the wing is too big. But in scale I think the wing was longer. I may cut it down some more.

Jim

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Nice job, Jim.

I've always like the PCA-2 style autogyros. Your modification looks great.

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

I fly a full sized older Benson with a lot of mods.
I really had always wanted to build a model and a few days ago I watched the video of the one with the teetering head.
Can that be lifted off the ground with a bigger engine and a lager prop rather then toss it?
Vegas/

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Jim,
I really don't know the flight characteristics of the wing and rotor type gyro.
I assume the wing does the lifting and the rotor blades do the steering
Vegas/

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Whirly Bird,
I have been flying it for some time without the wing. I had the wings and horizontal stab left over from a GWS Stearman kit so just cut it down to the shape shown. The blades have always done the steering along with the rudder. I don't hand launch my models, all ROG.
Glad you all aprove.

Jim

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Guys,
I did cut the wing down about 8" total.. Not flown yet but it flys without the wing so should fly with it.

Jim

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Hi rcflyerfl
I did a search but can't locate vendors that sell kits.
Did you buy your gyro or build from scratch?
From doing my search I see Ken Brock is still involved with the full size gyros.
After watching the video I sort of got excited and sure like to get one going.
The one with the tetering head was really nice.
If anyone can direct me to a vendor that sells these gyros in a kit please let me know.
Thanks
Vegas./

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Look up FlyingBalsa.com and Mickey sells the GT 17 and others also. If you go through this forums I am sure you can find some vendors.

Jim

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Good looking gyro Jim! Congrats!

Dave

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

I have been flying the GT-17 (Kellett to Pitcairn) and have some flair ups so I have added some more clay and what I was using was drying out and getting smaller. Now I have it a little nose heavy and it takes a little longer to take off..I also put on a new horizontal stab as the old one had about 10 repairs to it from all the experiments, dumb thumbs,poor eyesite, etc.. The wind has been down somewhat early in the Cool morning and I may just add a pre-totator so I can get better takeoffs. By the time it takes off now it's a long way off. The grass is growing fast as we have been getting some rain too. But with a nice breeze take offs are much shorter.

I am building a new GT-17 that will look more like a Pitcairn. It will have the PT-17 tail with the rudder cut down so to stay away from the those things on top that keep eating into my Horiz. stab.

Pictures later,

Jim

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

I just finished the Pitcarin from Mickey's GT-17 kit. It has a pre-rotator in case we don't get any wind.. So far all we are getting is RAIN and some High wind. This is the one I built as an Pitcarin from the start. Sure hope it works OK.
Also pitured is my Mickey's Airforce. The Begi has an Pre-Rotator also..

Jim

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Guys,
I have been doing some testing and finally got some good flights this morning. No wind and no one else at the field. I flew it first without the wing and then added the wing. It seems and flys a little heavyier then the GT 17 but now is qoiet responsive. I did need the pre-rotator this morning as to no wind and tall grass. I am well pleased with it now..

My earlyier flights the fin I had on the of fuselage took a direct hit from the rotor blades so I have taken it off.
Now I have one more to try the Begi..
Later,

Jim

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Too bad thos ugly servos a just sitting on the mast........any way you could hide them?

RE: Kellett to Pitcairn
 

Ugly servo's! Boy the Servo makers will be mad with you talking about there pretty servos..Ha Ha This way Dave they are serviceable. I would think if I had them inside the wires would flex.. If I used heavyier wire then it would become heavy. Looks good in the air and will fly just as good without the wing.

Hope to see you at Morris Autogyro Meet.

Jim