Model Autogyro - An Extraordinary Cool Idea

Many people collect or build model airplanes and helicopters for years. Still there are very few who are creative enough to try with other types of model aircrafts - rockets, gliders, paragliders, ultralights or autogyros.

What Exactly Is An Autogyro

An autogyro is quite similar to helicopter rotorcraft because they both use a rotor to lift. However the rotor in the helicopters is used all the time during the normal flight. The autogyro is very different by this criteria - its rotor is auto-rotating by the aerodynamic forces during the flight.




The real power of the autogyro comes from a propeller just like in the airplanes - but pretty often this propeller is behind the corpse instead in its front.

Because of these specifics the autogyros are very interesting aircrafts to build. Most model aviation fans consider them extraordinary and probably for this reason autogyros are less popular than the airplanes and helicopters.



The autogyros can also be called gyrocopters or gyroplanes so when searching for such models you can try these terms too. Sometimes an autogyro can be referred as gyrodine but strictly said gyrodine is a different type of aircraft.

Autogyro Models - Plans and Kits

Would you like to build or buy a model autogyro? Trying to design one yourself only by the given information here will be hard. Preferably if you want to build, you would need at least construction plans.

One of the good sites where you can buy gyrocopter plans is Aero Balsa - most of them are priced between $8 and $20. They also offer kits in the $100 - $150 range.

There are also excellent kits available on Kits Autogyro Company Of Arizona but most of them are a bit more costly.

If you want to build scale models of gyroplanes, some good models to consider are Skyhook, Barnett J4B, McCulloch J-2, CarterCopter and Cierva.

Paper Autogyro That Can Fly

The autogyros are a bit complex aircrafts and making entirely from paper one that flies is a tough task. You will need to use some more robust material at least for the propeller and the rotorcraft. Some light wood or plastic should do the work.

Making the corpse from paper is a really good idea mostly because paper is very light. If you choose to do it, you need to strengthen the parts where the paper connect with the rotorcraft and the propeller - otherwise the rotation friction will quickly damage it. You can use small circles of plastic or wood - for example beads.

If you want to make a paper gyrocopter that flies without engine, you can try powering it with a rubber band. In general paper gyroplanes are not very stable and making one that can fly long time may require many trials.

Regardless the difficulties making model autogyros is very exciting. Even if you decide to buy a ready one, you will have something that most other model aviation fans don't even think about.

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User comments:

Manuel Ayllon Martinez at Jun, 14 '09 04:44
I would like to get plans about your paper models
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Sandra at Jun, 18 '09 23:43
Dear Manual, at this moment I can only point you to the visual guides here:
http://modelsaviation.com/Paper-Airplanes.phtml

We don't yet have actual sized plans, but I promise we will get some prepared soon!
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Dave at Sep, 22 '09 17:04
Whirlybird Autogyro Plans offer wonderful RC Autogy alternative to expensive kits. Why pay for a kit when you can scratch build for less? Take a look! www.whirlybirdautogyros.com
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