Cabin on a Bensen B8M?

[joeheli]

I am just curiosHas any one adapt or built a cabin on a Benson?

[PW_Plack]

Jose,

I've heard of at least two kitmakers investigating the market for a single-place enclosed machine, but I'll leave it to the guys who've been at this a while to tell you if anyone's ever enclosed a Bensen.

The Montgomerie Merlin, a British kit, is essentially a Bensen-based design with lots of streamlining, although not completely enclosed:

http://www.gyrocopters.co.uk/ (ftp://http://www.gyrocopters.co.uk/)

What I really want is a single place which can be converted from enclosed to wide-open easily, since I live in the Portland, Oregon area. We have spectacular summers for about three months, and at least half the days of the other nine months it rains!

[Chuck Irby]

Hey Paul, I think I have come up with the perfect solution for your problem . . . . Hehhehehe (as Heron would say). Move South.

[joeheli]

Thank you guys! ;D

[Mike Jackson]

Hi Joe,

You might take a look at the Falcon I design. Neal has an enclosure for this machine - very nice looking. Although the Falcon is a drop keel machine, Neal has a kit to make the Bensen/Brock a drop keel machine.

The enclosure may work for the stock machines also. The tail surface must be increased over stock and Neal can help.

Neal is a great guy. I spoke with him recently and he's very knowlegable (sp?) and easy to talk to. He's in semi-retirement and doesn't advertise much anymore. You can reach him at : NealFalcon@aol.com

You can see a picture of the FalconI with pod on the Vortech web site under the gyro section - he bought the company.

Cheers,

Mike

[PW_Plack]

Hey, Chuck, I'ved lived in Atlanta, Greenville SC, and Orlando, and enjoyed them all, but I have a son, daughter and granddaughter here now, so relocation is unlikely.

I'm also suffering with Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome, so my ability to relocate for reasons like weather will be limited for a while. I'm hoping to come through the process with some hope of building a gyro when it's over, and for now, my new apartment is pleasant, relatively inexpensive, close to work, and has a nice, clean garage. (AKA hangar.)

[Chuck Irby]

Hey Paul,

I completely understand. All that makes good sense to me. We have to have some fun with each other occasionally though.

Actually, in my opinion, your idea of a readily removable enclosure is a very good idea, even for down South. Keep us posted please on any further developments.

[Heron]

I saw pictures of an enclosed Bensen (in aluminun) from Alaska, pretty neat job.
At the end you cannot call them Bensen anymore, they end up being center line and that changes the whole story.
Don't even think in adding a cabin in that configuration!
Heron

[Gaylon]

Here is a pic of my Falcon 1. The cabin should be adaptable to almost any air frame.

[Chuck Irby]

That's a nice looking bird Gaylon. Thanx for the post. Do you trailer it with the blades on it?

[Gaylon]

Thank you,


That pic was taken during a short trip from the airport to the shop, about 1/2 mile (20 mph). I'm building a blade box for longer trips. :)

L8R


Gaylon

[joeheli]

Gaylon, What hub, and wheel size are in your falcon?
I am planning to get a more stable wheels.

[Gaylon]

I have the 6" Hegar wheels and brakes, here is the spects.

HEGAR MANUFACTURING WHEELS

THESE HIGHLY POLISHED SPUN ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE AN ATTRACTIVE ADDITION TO ANY AIRCRAFT AS WELL AS BEING EXTREMELY RELIABLE AND RUGGED.


DIMENSIONS:
WIDTH X DIAM HGT WGT HUB
WIDTH TIRE
WIDTH A B C D E
4" X 5" OFFSET 11" 3.3 LB 2" 4.625" 5" 2.062 2.062 .25 .5
4" X 5" CENTERLINE 11" 3.3 LB 1.5" 4.625" 5" 2.062 2.062 .438 1.5
4" X 6" OFFSET 12" 6 LB 2" 5" 6" 2.19 2.19 .25 .438
4" X 6" CENTERLINE 12" 6 LB 1.5" 5" 6" 2.19 2.19 .438 1.625
6" X 6" OFFSET 13.5" 7.5 LB 2" 6.5" 6" 3.69 2.625 .25 1.062
6" X 6" CENTERLINE 13.5" 7.5 LB 1.5" 6.5" 6" 3.69 2.625 .438 2.062
ANY WHEEL LISTED ABOVE WITH STANDARD HUB $79.95
ANY WHEEL LISTED ABOVE WITH POSI-STOP HUB $84.95*

*POSI-STOP HUB IS PRE-DRILLED AND TAPPED TO ALLOW FOR MOUNTING OF POSI-STOP BRAKE SYSTEM OR AZUSA DRUM-TYPE BRAKE ASSEMBLY. ONLY AVAILABLE FOR 5/8" AXLE

I'm very happy with them. Hey Chuck would you mind to post some pics of your Dominator Tail??? I'm thinking about putting one on my Falcon.


Gaylon

[joeheli]

To many numbers :o :o :o. So the one you use are: 6"x 6.00?

[Gaylon]

Sorry ??? I didn't mean to overwhelm :) But I just copied it from there web site. Yes I use the 6 X 6.00.


L8R


Gaylon

[Chuck Irby]

Gaylon, per our conversation yesterday, I believe you would welcome the addition of a Dominator type tail to your machine.

[joeheli]

That is better, thank you for the info!! ;D ;D

[gyroplanes]

I have a factory original Bensen enclosure (design by Marion & Doc Springer I believe) featured in the classic action film "the Great Skycopter Rescue"
I would be willing to sell the enclosure reasonably as it needs a deal of cosmetic work.
Tom

[Gaylon]

Man I would like to see a pic of that. Can you post one? I would like to see the movie too! Road Warrior, and You only die twice are the only movies I knew that had gyros in them.


L8R


Gaylon

[joeheli]

So I can fit a falcon cabin in the Bensen? ???

[Gaylon]

Jose,

I would not try, unless you also added the drop keel kit and a tall tail. Both are avalible from Roto Hawk. What engine and blades you have would also have to be factored in. I would say your best bet would be to call Neal at Roto Hawk. Are you flying a Mac, or something else????

L8R


Gaylon

[joeheli]

Yes , Mac 90.

[Gaylon]

I belive with the Mac and the drop keel, you would be CLT. Add the tail tail, and whala, A Super B.


L8R

Gaylon

[rgraffeo]

Gaylon,
I watched the movie that Tom talked about several years ago on cable.

[Gaylon]

WOW,


I'm might just have to get that one.



L8R


Gaylon

[scandtours]

Gaylon,
From your post and picture regarding Falcon I with cabin, this machine isnt unstable?
I believe this big cabin moves the center of presure infront of the center of
gravity. I dont see any big tail surfaces that can conpensate this huge area of
cabin.
Giorgos
Cyprus