Bensen blades

[stolking1]

If you would please take a walk with me down memory lane.
Back when I built me last Gyro (Bensen) I had the alum blades Dr Bensen designed. I use to watch them balance them at the factory. Anyhow they were smooth and I had very little stick shake if any.
Please share your thought on the Bensen blades compared to todays blades.
Dragon wings seem to be the blade of choice today.. What is the correct length of Dragon wings for a BM8 with a Mac 90? How would you rate and how would these fly compared to the old Bensen Alum Blades? What do the Dragon wings bring to the table the Bensen blades did not?

JD

[dabkb2]

Rodger is still making the Bensen/Brock blades. Here is his info

4130 Mennes Ave Hanger #66
Riverside, Ca 92509
(909) 519-4427
ROTORSNRADIALS@MSN.COM

[stolking1]

David,

Thank you !! Great to know...! I will give him a call...

JD

[gyromike]

My B-8/Mac 90 weighs 287 lbs.
I weigh 190 lbs.
I use 22 ft Dragon Wings.

Dragon Wings are far superior to Bensens. I had Bensens on my gyro when I first built it. They were smooth and easy to start, but the segmented upper skin allows a lot of air to be slung down the inside of the blades and leak out through the segments, spoiling the airflow and creating drag.

[stolking1]

Mike thanks for the reply. Is there any gyroscopic benifit to stability with heaver blades? How much harder is it to start the Dragon wings compared to the Bensen blades?

JD

[gyromike]

Heavier blades tend to react slower to control inputs, makes the stick feel a little heavier. But there's not much weight difference between DW's and Bensens.

DW's are not easy to hand start but it can be done on a short-masted gyro. Any decent prerotator will work with them though.