Sir Real
01-15-2008, 06:16 AM
There is a Bensen gyro (or at least most of one) at the local airport that belonged to a gentleman who has passed away. A friend of a friend is brokering the sale for the widow, and neither of them are experts on gyrocraft. Of course, neither am I. If I go look at it, what should I look for, what questions should I ask, and what might be a good price. What is it worth? Is it worth anything? Is it even woth driving 16 miles around the Great Dismal Swamp to look at it?
Here is a copy & paste of all I know about it. I'm having trouble uploading the pictures, but they basically show a dusty but servicable looking seat tank, a decently clean-looking wooden prop with the words "1 5028 - 5 Troyer Design 67085c", and an engine that looks like it's been sitting on a shelf in a hangar for a couple years, which is reasonable, since that's what it is. I have also been told that it is missing one or possibly two control linkages. Once you've read this, you'll know as much as I do.
"Hi Kurt,
I took some pics this evening and examined the parts and
documentation. Rotor blades are Bensen, prop is a Troyer Design,
engine is a VW conversion with a twin carb setup - missing one
intake manifold/carb mount. I don't how old it is - documentation is a
bit spotty. I asked Joanne to check on original purchase
documentation but she has not gotten back to me yet. It appears to have been
completed and flown, but not much. The tires show no wear and there is no paint
erosion where the prop arc lines up with the horizontal stab. If you are
interested the best thing would be for you to take a look at it. Give me a call
if you want to set up a time. It clearly needs lots of work - mostly inspection
I would think - and replacement of attachment hardware, since locknuts should be
used only once."
"It is a Benson Gyrocopter
> > 90% complete with converted VW engine "
Here is a copy & paste of all I know about it. I'm having trouble uploading the pictures, but they basically show a dusty but servicable looking seat tank, a decently clean-looking wooden prop with the words "1 5028 - 5 Troyer Design 67085c", and an engine that looks like it's been sitting on a shelf in a hangar for a couple years, which is reasonable, since that's what it is. I have also been told that it is missing one or possibly two control linkages. Once you've read this, you'll know as much as I do.
"Hi Kurt,
I took some pics this evening and examined the parts and
documentation. Rotor blades are Bensen, prop is a Troyer Design,
engine is a VW conversion with a twin carb setup - missing one
intake manifold/carb mount. I don't how old it is - documentation is a
bit spotty. I asked Joanne to check on original purchase
documentation but she has not gotten back to me yet. It appears to have been
completed and flown, but not much. The tires show no wear and there is no paint
erosion where the prop arc lines up with the horizontal stab. If you are
interested the best thing would be for you to take a look at it. Give me a call
if you want to set up a time. It clearly needs lots of work - mostly inspection
I would think - and replacement of attachment hardware, since locknuts should be
used only once."
"It is a Benson Gyrocopter
> > 90% complete with converted VW engine "