Bensen/KB3 rebuild

[scottessex]

I have been pondering a few things since I am in the process of rebuilding my gyro after an unfortunate mishap. :mad:

I have been looking into adding some sort of drop keel, along with some suspension, I guess similar to a Falcon (rotorhawk)
I have looked at the gyrobee suspension and also the hornet pics are great.
I want to be up and flying as soon as posible, but I also want to do upgrades that will make an improvement without scaping this gyro and starting over with a different type.

I would like to see pictures of bensen style machines with suspension or dropped keel and or both.
Thanks.

[GyroRon]

Look again closely at this pic and you will see it has suspension on the main wheels. This gyro is down at Maxie Wildes shop now about ready to fly. you can always drive over there and take measurments.

[scottessex]

That's what I am talking about. I wish I could see how he did the suspension. I could drive to Savanah, but not this weekend!

I just need something to soak up the bumps on the runway, you know Ron, you flew John's KB. just a little bouncy.

[Screw]

Screw-In

OK, What are the chances of us getting you in the air by ROC? What's first, and how can I help?

Screw-Out

[GyroRon]

Scott you know it will take more than a 6 inch drop keel to give you CLT. Take a look at where the center of the prop is and where your belly button will be when seated and that will get you close to if not right at CLT. Built to that, not 6 inches.

Another way to do it is to leave the keel one piece as it is. Then make the mast much MUCH taller. Then leave the engine as low as you can and still have room for the prop, and then raise the seat up the mast till you get the belly button thrustline all lined up, this will require a raised area up front for your rudder pedals and may require some creative thinking on raising the control system that rides under the seat, but it can be done as it was on this gyro. Also very easy to make these mods... btw, this gyro used a 75 HP certified aircraft engine but swung a 60 inch prop just like you will be doing so it is apples to apples.

[Screw]

Screw-In

Ron,

I think Scott is gonna go with this. I'm tring to get him a plans set for a tall tail with horizontal centered in prop wash like a Dom or Mad Max.

Screw-Out

[scottessex]

I'm on my way, I ordered my aluminum from Wicks, this morning. I have the airframe mocked up, with the bent mast etc. But I should be able to use most of the original airframe for patterns etc. Engine parts are arriving soon! The FedEx guy called me this morning at work and had to ask how to get to the house. I got my Rotax exhaust pipe last Friday. I am moving along, I still need to send the prop to Warp and get a rotax hub, Send the prerotator gear back to Wunderlich and get a mount and drum for the pre-Rtr. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks John, and Ron.

[scottessex]

I heard John flew Da Screwdriver yesterday, and scared a bunch of Nuns and babies over there close to his area. :D

[Screw]

Screw-In

Nice Scott. Real Nice.

Screw-Out

[ben]

screw,
if you get those plans please let me know i need to build a tall tail was thinking of making it out of alum.like the new dom. or of fabric like the old planes. thanks ben

[scottessex]

Sorry for bustin' on ya John, but you know how it is, I just can't help it. :D

Here is a pic of the rebuild, just mocked up with what was lying around and the old bent stuff just to get an idea of what I might do.

[scottessex]

another one.

[GyroRon]

Scott, do yourself a big favor and get with Ernie Boyette on that pre rotator. His wunderlick set ups can pull 260+ RRPM with a little 503 Rotax, with your more powerful Suzuki I bet you could get over 300 no problem. Then your takeoff rolls would be VERY short!

[scottessex]

I'll call him and check it out. Thanks.

[CLS447]

Scott, that frame is looking real good so far! Best of luck on the rebuild!

[willbow]

Hey Scott ... every time I take a look at all that bent metal I alway think "Man, I sure am glad you got out of that in on piece"

Best of luck on the re-build .. it's looking good

[scottessex]

You and me both!

Here are a couple of examples of what i am going to do. they are similar, except for the area of the mast/keel/axle mounting arrangement.

[scottessex]

The other one.
Boy I sure feel like an amatuer with these pictures after seeing Don Shoebridges auto cad drawings :)

[GyroRon]

The mast will need to be taller.

[GyroRon]

You may also need a rudder :eek:

[Screw]

Screw-In

Why pink? :rolleyes: For the love of God, why pink?

Screw-Out

[GyroRon]

It looks purple on my monitor.

Btw Scott, your welcome.

[willbow]

Yeah, it looks great Scott ... Hell, Id be proud to share a formation with you :)

[scottessex]

Geeze Ron, you don't think I'd try to fly a gyro with out any stabs, do ya!? The picture was too close to the edge of the paper! :D

John that's not pink, it's fucsia, just like Mary said, If I did it in orage, everyone would think........well you know. ;)

[Brent_Brown]

Scott if you set your gyro up like the fucsia one above it should be fine. I like it.

[Brent_Brown]

Mods to frame for tall tails as I see it. the mast should be 10" above the prop to get the 2" clearance between the rudder support and prop. rudder leading eage is 6" from prop, 12" drop cut out from the top rear of rudder to help clear blades.

[Brian Jackson]

I'm kinda diggin' THIS design...

[scottessex]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll keep you posted on progress. :)

Hey Rotodude, I think you may have a good chance of being an industrial designer! :eek:

[GyroRon]

Scott, I wasn't talking about a Stab, I was saying the mast needed to be taller for the same reason Brent mentioned. you need clearance for the blades with a tall tail.

Also was saying your welcome for the donation to your gyro fix up fund I donated too.

[darrellwittke]

I think (if I remember right) that Chuck Bs machine has the angle (down from horizontal) of 27 degrees to allow clearance from the rotor head to the tail. It's on Larry Goodhinds site. Please keep us apprised of your suspension design.

[joeheli]

Scott how many inches did you drop the keel?

I saw that on Ron's gyro picture, the main wheels axels are drop too. About 3". other thing I imagine that you are goin to use brakes on the main wheels because now the front wheel you can't adapt the old brake.

[Brian Jackson]

Scott how many inches did you drop the keel?...

I've heard the term "drop-keel" quite often, but from the photos aren't we raising the keel? The tail boom stays the same height for clearance, doesn't it? Just curious.

Thanks,
Brian Jackson

[GyroRon]

Brian your probably right but it is called dropping the keel and that is what we call it!

Jose the gyro in that picture used a neat little spring - like valve springs out of a Truck engine - suspension that required the wheels to be further down from the keel than normal.

[scottessex]

Joe, I dropped the keel 6 1/2 inches. I got my nose wheel back from the welder, hopefully I will have the airframe mocked up real soon.

[joeheli]

I am glad everything is goin well!.

[scottessex]

I got the airframe assembled last night, everything fit right together, I still have to make braces and such.

I will have to get it all assembled and then take it apart and paint everything, so it may fly in bare metal for awhile.

I am going to take some pictures this weekend.

[joeheli]

Great! I am really happy for you. I really want to see how it looks. Belive me, I am the next one to make a Bensen drop keel. But I will need your help!

[scottessex]

I guess I need to write down all the measurements, and make some drawings before I forget. :)

[joeheli]

I will be so thankfull that I will send you this USDA :eek: choise made in PR :D

[scottessex]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:


I don't have time for all that! :D

[Gyroflyer]

What bird is the red/purple tall-tail attached above? I'm thinking about the Sparrow and that looks like it. Also, does anybody know anything about the instrument pod on it? This is the pod I want but have no idea where to get it.

Mark

[scottessex]

Go to new bensen rebuild thread.