Parting out bent up Benson

[CLS447]

72 HP MAC w/fuel filter and regulator. Brand new Brock cooling shrouds and other style. Throttle quadrant and cable. Motor mount. Exhaust system included. Will sell anything separately.

Asking $1000.00 o.b.o.

[CLS447]

Here's the mount.

[CLS447]

Here's the exhaust.

[CLS447]

Here's the older shrouds.

[CLS447]

Sold seat

[CLS447]

Slightly bent 24ft. Rotorhawk blades. Hub bar in good shape. Make offer.

[CLS447]

Mac prerotator parts also available.

[Screw]

Chris,

This isn't the (KB-2) you were putting together is it?

John-

[CLS447]

No John, but even though I could use the money I am keeping the KB. Then after putting all my time & money into it, I might even fly it before I sell it.

Here's the KB! Thanks again for the manual!!!!

[GyroRon]

That was a good one Chris! ;D ;D ;D

[Screw]

Your both wrong for that.

For the record, I don't have to sell. I would like to get it together and do some flying. I could use the cash to buy a big radial is all. I'm in no hurry.

Thanks for jab....Look very forward to seeing you both again 8)

John-

[Brent_Brown]

John you can get your KB ready to fly in one day. At ROC I would of flown it if the rudder was working. What are you doing that is holding you up? is it training?
Brent

[CLS447]

Uh OH ! Merry Christmas guys! I hope you all don't get as depressed as me this time of year.

John & Ron I was afraid that you would take it that way but I let it go anyway. I was serious. I can't let that KB go. I really feel the need to build it & fly it. Then I will probably sell it cheap because I need a third gyro like a hole in my head. I do hate to see you sell that beautiful KB without flying it... Shame on you! But that's your business. Bring on SPRING !!!!!!!!

[Screw]

Chris,

You shamed me. I have removed DaScrew-Driver from all listings... I will fly it first. See you in Spring.

Yes Brent,

Training and Prerotator installation. That's all. Hope to see you in the Spring as well.

John-

[GyroRon]

When you got 14 plus grand in a machine with a market value of half that much, you might as well keep it and fly it till the wheels fall off. I encouraged John to keep it and fly it a while and at least get something out of it before selling it. It would be a shame to spend all that money and time and then take a bath on it without ever even flying the thing!

This brings up the fact that had John had it to do over, I am doubtful he would go with the KB-2. Had he done a Dominator or a Aircommand or maybe a Sportcopter, He could have had nearly equal money tied up in it and have a more stable gyro with higher performance and a MUCH better re sale value. I am sure had he come to these forums first then pick a machine to build he would have done that. But on the other hand it is these same forums that have educated people and more or less De valued machines like the KB.

[Screw]

Merry Christmas to you too Ron.

[GyroRon]

I didn't mean for it to be taken in a hurtful way, Sorry Johnny boy. :-[

I was only pointing out to the fact that going at this form of flight alone can be costly. No matter if it is the selection of the kit you buy or build, to flying with certain instructors or no instructor at all.

I see it all the time on these forums and in person. Right now on this forum I believe anyone following Larrys thread on prop pitch, that has also operated a direct drive auto engine knows that to NOT put the redrive on is a mistake. But He is here and maybe he will awaken to the fact that more power is better.... Or like the guy who comes out to Goose Creek and hangs out with us, He is well over 6 foot tall and is maybe 275 pounds and is thick like a lumberjack or IOW's this is a big darn dude! Well he is got his mind made up that the plane he wants to build to keep for ever and ever is a Titan Tornado. Hey, I tell him, the Titan is a heck of a sweet plane, but it is too small inside for a big guy like him. He may not even fit in it, much less be comfortable in it for a long cross country flight. He is ready to order the kit anyday, I asked him has he even sat in one yet or flown in one? Ah..... No he says. Oh well life goes on.

[PW_Plack]

John,

I've considered used gyros for my first machine, and since I followed your saga on the conferences while you built the KB, I gave it some thought when you offered it for sale. I have to tell you, I decided it wouldn't be smart to buy a gyro which has never been flown by the original builder before sale. Too many possible reasons!

After all your work, you should at least get familiar with the flight characteristics of this early-philosophy machine, if only so you can post in the future when we all have questions about the bensen-esque machines!

[Screw]

Don't worry Paul or anyone else...I'm not selling, I will fly. I just wanted to get the engine for the LW-4 last week. Thought it would be a quick way to get some scratch. "WRONG!"

I'm sticking to my LW time table. I'm not rushing. I'll have an engine for it before too long.

I am really excited about flying the KB-2. I can't wait. The weather looks flyable, and hopefully I'll get some more air-time soon.

John-

[Phil_Ruffin]

John, the weather looks good this weekend for Macon. Do you think you will go see Steve and Boo? I still want to come down and see your gyro.

Phil

[Screw]

Phil,

As much as I'd like too, I'm afraid not. I'm opening a used car dealership in Gainesville and I've been very busy trying to get it off the ground. Sales are slow with Christmas and all, but whole selling has been ok.

I've got an employee in training, and when he gets the computer programs down, I won't have to be around so much.

John-

[GyroRon]

John, I want a used car.

[Screw]

Does it have to have blades? ;D

Talk to me.....What ya want?

John-

[GyroRon]

A 300 SEL sitting on 22 inch spinners.

[Peanut]

Chris,

What size hub bar was on your RotorHawks?

I am in need of the attachment straps between the hubbar and blades also.

Thanks,

[CLS447]

Hubert, I took some pics for you. The hub bar is 36" Teeter bolt - bottom of hub bar is 2 1/4 ".

[CLS447]

Here are the straps

[Peanut]

Chris,

Thanks for the info and pics. I'll email you.

[CLS447]

Anybody want to buy any of this stuff?

[scottessex]

Chris, do you still have the Mac prerotator parts? and is that just the drive end, or does it include the rotor head bendix drive. I know someone who might be interested.

[Peanut]

Chris,

Do you still have the seat tank? Also the hubbar and straps?

How much for all?

Thanks :D

[Chuck Irby]

Hubert, does that mean you no longer want my hub bar and straps?

[Peanut]

Chuck,

No. I still want yours. Just looking for another in case I want to sell the Rotorhawks and give the new buyer an option, or even both, hub bars.

[Chuck Irby]

Thanx Peanut. Are ya'll still having a fly-in tomorrow? I got an email from Hilton this am and he said it was the end of the month.

[CLS447]

Hubert, I sold the seat tank, but I still have the hub bar & straps. Make an offer!

Scott E, I only have the prop end parts and the outer casing for the flex shaft.

[joeheli]

Do yo still have the engine mount? How much?

[CLS447]

Sorry about the slow responce. I will look it over & give you a price. I believe it was factory built.

[CLS447]

Surely someone needs spare MAC parts!!

[FlyingFish]

I would be insterested in some of your parts. Also wondering what caused the Benson to get a little bent up ? You can contact me via email if you like. cabalitomb@shaw dot ca

[bogman]

Peter don't get in a hurry for a response from Chris. I've had a private message for him thats two weeks old now and he still hasn't read it.

Btw they like you to put your whole name in the profile.:D

[CLS447]

Miles, I am very sorry. I just now read your message.

Let's start here. This machine was mostly scratch built by a gentleman that I met not too long ago.... Bruce Heckler. It was then completed & registered by another gentleman that lived really close to me. Thanks to the members list in the PRA mag, I slipped an invitation to a fly-in we were having, in his mailbox.

A 72 year old man, named Roland Mueller , came to meet me. When he told me he had a Mac powered Bensen that he was ready to fly, I became concerned for him. He assured me that he had trained with Steve Graves & Chris Burgess. I felt much better. Before I could get more involved he flew it out of an airport that I have never been to.

The next time We spoke he told me he had crashed it! Scraped & bruised , but alive. I was sad & happy at the same time, you know what I mean. Soon after he had a stroke. Soon after that he was involved in a bad car accident. After recovering he invited me to see what was left of his machine. He offered it with trailer for a fair price. Not having the money, I asked another friend if he wanted to buy. He didn't think it was worth it.

Roland said that his wife was happy that he would not fly it any more & they would like to get it out of their garage so they could put their car back in there! Soon after he suffered another stroke. He is now in a home for the elderly. He is an amazing German man that built his house atop the highest mountain, a true crafstman.I miss him, even though I did not know him that well.

Anyway , he got behind the power curve, made a hard landing, & rolled over. The new Rotorhawk blades got bent & the mast twisted off right at the upper seat attachment bolts. The rotor head,ring gear & upper prerotator unit is in my opinion unservicable. The control rods are broken in half, The axle tube has a nice upward bend. The prop is shattered and I dont know if the crank is OK. So what's left?

I finallized the sale , at the original asking price, with his wife. I don't like taking advantage of anybody. I got a homemade trailer & a bent up Bensen. Oh Boy!

After joining the Air museum & seeing a couple of old Ultralights hanging from the cieling, I thought as a tribute to Roland, I would turn it back to a Glider & donate it for Static display. Well those guys are so busy bringing a P-51 back to life , that they almost ignore the Kellet KD-a1 that they have. Who has the time to try & straighten out a set of blades for a static display. I will have to finish this story Later, I promice I'll get back to you guys tonight after flying.

[FlyingFish]

User profile udated now.

[bogman]

Thank You Peter and welcome to the forum.

[FlyingFish]

Would like to know what you would want for the engine cooling shrouds and the prerotor assembly.

Thanks

Peter

[CLS447]

Anyway, I sold the seat tank. And here is picture of the joystick, it to is bent up and I wouldn't feel good selling it for use.

If someone needed a Mac 72 with cooling shrouds (2 types) , engine mount for Bensen frame, exhaust, I might be interested it as a package. If I sell the mount, then I'm stuck with the engine. If I sell the cooling shrouds then the next owner would need cooling shrouds. The instruments are going on my KB-2. There is not much left of the prerotator and I may use what is left on my KB-2.

[CLS447]

Personally, I would call Ken Brock Manufacturing and buy a new stick and shrouds from them. Here is a picture of mine. And a picture of my rotorhead. I feel better about my used parts hanging from a ceiling of a museum rather than someone flying with them. As for my Mac, if no one wants to buy it as a package I will keep it to either hang it on the wall, for nostalgia or I may rebuild it and use it myself. I have priced them and noone is giving them away, nor shall I.

[bogman]

Thanks for the info Chris.