Gertry's General Gyrocopters

[MatttheCzar]

GGG is the first and last word in gyrocopters.  Or autogyros.  Gyroplanes?  Whatever you like to call them, GGG has them.

 

The G-1 Gladiator:

This gyrocopter was the very first made for the military.  While air force officials were at first skeptical of the craft as it sat on the runway, their expectations were blown away; not only was the gyro capable of taking off like an STOL, it also was able to turn on a dime, then quickly recover to its top speed of >200 m/s.  It now is commonly used in areas where full runways are not able to be built, as well as right behind the front line, where it makes a great ground attack vehicle.

 

Spoiler

Look, Ma!  No rotor thrust!

Heres how that works:

Due to the real life phenomenon of autorotation, the rotor works like a wing!

 

 

 

 

Flying instructions:

1. Turn on jet engine.

2. Move forwards until you are going at around 50 m/s

3. Take off... that's it!  You can turn on the rotor a little at the beginning so its spinning more at takeoff, but otherwise it flies like a plane.

 

Download:

https://www.dropbox.com/home?preview=G-1.craft

There's also the G-1E, a version with an ejector for the rotor in emergencies:

https://www.dropbox.com/home?preview=G-1E.craft

Requires KAX and Tweakscale.

 

 

 

The G-2 Mini:

An ultralight gyro one of my test pilots, Jeb, designed and built during his spare time at work.  Shows great initiative, that kerbal, maybe he'll be a spacekerman someday.

Spoiler

Showoff!

 

 

Download:

https://www.dropbox.com/home?preview=G-2+Mini.craft

Requires KAX and Tweakscale.

 

Edited July 26, 2016 by MatttheCzar

[Rune]

Autorotation is a very cool aerodynamic concept. And even tough it's practiced by all helicopter pilots, it's a concept rarely known outside the field. Glad to see autogyros in KSP!

 

Rune. Also, it was a Spanish guy that came up with the idea.

[MatttheCzar]

18 minutes ago, Rune said:

Autorotation is a very cool aerodynamic concept. And even tough it's practiced by all helicopter pilots, it's a concept rarely known outside the field. Glad to see autogyros in KSP!

 

Rune. Also, it was a Spanish guy that came up with the idea.

Thanks!  I think I'll try to make the original gyrocopter soon.

[MatttheCzar]

New gyro ready for download!