Wagtail Trojan bush gyro

[Steve_UK]

Nice video - utility

 

[Brent_Brown]

his is cool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74QnrLWvXus

 

[mark treidel]

That is some impressive power!! 400' in 8 seconds....that would make my tailpipe pucker!

 

[Smack]

bring it !

bring it !

Dang, I like the look of that Wagtail / Trojan !!
I think the two most striking, readily apparent airframe details are:
- there is not a windshield in front of the GIB; easier egress, better viz
- look at the low-slung, pneumatic suspension! Wow.

Are there any of these in the USA?

I like that BIG horsepower. Dang, how much extra for that smoke system???

Brian

 

[Steve_UK]

Are there any of these in the USA?

None that I'm aware of - drop them an email

 

[birdy]

Hate to still be the one thats got to keep floggn that dead horse, but gobs of power, fancy suspension and big tyres dont make a bush gyro.
But, wot would i know.
Iv only been flyn in the bush 20 years.

 

[Smack]

Well, list 'em !

Well, list 'em !

Mr. Birdy,
I think that we all agree that you are an expert in this 'bush' gyro field.
Would you mind listing some of the features that you consider essential for an off-road gyroplane?
Surely big tires, strong pre-rotator...
What else?

Other than contesting the 'bush' description, you have any thoughts on that South African gyro?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[birdy]

An 80% flight rrpm min capable prespinner, that can stay engauged after lift off, with an over-ridable clutch.
All the power in the world is usless dead weight till you can go WOT without flappn the blades.
Short strip, ruf strip, wet strip, tall grass, flat tyres or high DA are all over come best with an effective prespinner.

The first thing youll notice way out woop woop is there are no strips.
Or roads.
Getn in is easy, getn out not so much.
The shortest distance you bounce it over ruf stuff the better.

 

[C. Beaty]

What you should have had, Birdy, was one of Dick DeGraw’s jump takeoff gyros. No worry about ground run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ISIlgMcb-U

 

[birdy]

I know CB, i may even finish my version before i die.
But wot i got now seems to do the job orrite.

 

[mark treidel]

Hi Birdy,
Happy Holidays. I have not seen an example of what you posted above...a prerotator that stays engaged after take off with a overridable clutch. Do you perchance have a photo of the setup you could post? I'm uncertain what you mean by an overridable clutch.
Perhaps a hydraulic setup that I can keep the clutch engaged until the rotor over spins the bendix??
Must be my 'northern accent' getting in the way...

 

[birdy]

Mark
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=52EWsrnItmc
This isa ruf clip of the very first test TO, im sure ol mate was hopen for sumthn speccy, hence the camera.

But its nuthn special, just a modified RAF prespinner.
30 paces is all you need at 0 wind and full fuel, and climb out is near virtical till you release the clutch.

 

[mark treidel]

Pardon my ignorance; In what way is it modified?
I'm trying to understand how one 'over rides' the clutch.

 

[birdy]

By override i mean the engine can still go full rpm with the clutch engauged.
The engine- clutch drive ratio i have it at will have the rotor to about 80% flight rpm with the engine at just over 2000.
So, you prespin to 80%, then open the throttle.
The the engine goes to TO speed, the prespinner clutch cant drive the rotors any faster so it slips.
You blast off with the clutch still applieing drive to the rotor.

 

[Smack]

slipping or applying drive?

slipping or applying drive?

Birdy,

Does your pre-rotator have a 'one way' bearing or Sprag clutch?

Brian

 

[mark treidel]

I understand...does that imply that you changed out the drive gear ratios within the gear reduction box to a lower ratio final drive gear?

 

[birdy]

Its just a regular RAF prespinner, mounted to a 4banger rotax.
Same belt driven clutch, same bendix/ring gear.
Only mods are pully ratios to suit ERPM/RRPM requirements and clutch actuater effect doubled, to get the higjer rrpm.