Victa’s aviation division designed a small two-seat gyroplane, the Model 67. The prototype, which was designed by John Blackler, was registered VH-MVB c/n 1 and flew in May 1962. With a tricycle undercarriage, twin-fin tail unit and a two-blade main rotor with a pusher propeller driven by a 160hp Lycoming engine, the prototype logged 150 flights and 20 hours of test flying time, but was abandoned due to financial constraints in 1966.
Engine: Lycoming O-320-A, 160 hp
Top speed: 153km/h
Australia.
Initially producer of 2-stroke engines and lawnmowers; Aviation Division established September 1959 to manufacture Airtourer, two-seat aerobatic lightplane designed by Henry Millicer, chief aerodynamicist of Government Aircraft Factories. Prototype built by Air Tourer group of Australian Ultra Light Aircraft Association and first flew March 1959; production deliveries began mid-1962. Also that year produced prototype Victa 67A two-seat autogyro. Aviation Division closed 2 January 1967; manufacturing rights in Air tourer and later Aircruiser obtained by Aero Engine Services Ltd of New Zealand.
A single-rotor combined autogyro/helicopter based on 1936 Nagler VG-1.
USA
Founded March 1970 by Bruno Nagler to build Vertigiro VG-2, single-rotor combined autogyro/helicopter based on 1936 Nagler VG-1. VG-2P prototype and VG-2C production model were never manufactured, but in March 1971 Nagler formed Nagler Aircraft Corporation, starting on completely new projects.
In 1968, VFW (Vereingte Flugtechnische Werke) built an experimental open gyrocopter modelled on the Bensen B.8M. This VFW-H2 was unusual in having ducted rotor blade tip jets supplied from the 72hp McCulloch engine. The engine itself was mounted behind the pilot and drove a two-blade pusher propeller.
The H-2 (D-HIBY) was followed by a more sophisticated machine – the H-3 Sprinter which had a completely enclosed fuselage structure with a three-seat cabin, slim low-set tailboom with a V-tail, and a tricycle undercarriage.
A two seat fully enclosed autogyro. Side by side seating. Composite body, airframe of square T-6 aluminium tubing, V tail. Engine: Rotax 582 or 618. Prop: 72” IvoProp carbon fibre, ground adjustable. Rotor blades: 27’ Dragon Wings.
Cruise: 80 mph
Top speed: 100 mph
Empty wt: 460 lbs
Useful load: 420 lbs
Gross wt: 880 lbs
Width: 5’11”
Height: 8’2”
Length: 11’6”
A two seat tandem partially enclosed autogyro. A high-low tandem with pilot only controls. Engine: 2180cc VW or similiar. Prop: St.Croix 56” x 60” wood or 66” Warp Drive. Rotor blades: 29’ x 9” Vancraft wood core, steel spar, aluminium skins.
Min speed: 5-10 mph
Cruise: 65-85 mph
Top speed: 120 mph
Empty wt: 500 lbs
Useful load: 400 lbs
Gross wt: 900 lbs
Width: 5’4”
Length: 13’
1957: (Raymond E) Umbaugh Aircraft Corp
Ocala FL.
USA
Designed by Raymond Umbaugh in 1959 after he had built and sold several examples of single-seat cabin developments of the Bensen Gyro-Copter, Umbaugh Aircraft developed the Umbaugh Model 18 two-seat, jump-start autogyro which first flew in 1959. Limited production followed, including five aircraft assembled and tested by the Fairchild Corporation in 1960.
Had moved to Hagerstown MD, USA, but in 1962 ended operations.
In 1964 Air & Space Underwriters Inc, Munice, Ind, took over assets of the defunct Umbaugh Aircraft Corp in Florida, and moved production tooling to Munice where assembly of Umbaugh 18 gyroplane was to be completed. Air & Space drposited $350,000 with the Tamps Federal Court to pay outstanding claims, with another $100,000 set for another date.
In 1965 production of the U-18 was taken over by Air & Space Manufacturing and the aircraft was redesignated Air & Space U- 18A.
Empty wt.: 253 lbs
Max wt.: 550 lbs
Rotor dia.: 23ft
Engine: Rotax 503
Cruise: 55 mph
Vne: 150 mph
The UFO-HeliThruster was developed in the backcountry of New Zealand, designed by Mac Gillespie from the floor up. This is not a re-vamp of an old idea. UFO wanted a great engine and an equally good PSRU, and made their own. Its a gear driven design with a ratio of 2.3 to 1. The craft can lift and fly with more than a 1600-pound bulk weight. The UFO-HeliThruster is capable of flying 600 miles (960 kms) on one fill at the “regular” petrol pump and that is with a 1/2 hour fuel safety margin.
The performance of the UFO-HeliThruster is the EJ25 engine gives 164hp the power from that goes through a 2.3-1 PSRU (Propeller speed reduction unit – or “Gearbox”) that feeds a prop. (72″ – 76″) inch propeller. The UFO-HeliThruster has more stability and thus a larger safety margin than other gyros because the tail surfaces are larger and give good lateral plane area.
The UFO-Heli-Thruster’s fuselage is higher from the ground than most gyros. This when added to the fact that the rotor blades are also a little higher above the cockpit that on “standard” gyros results in greater safety, avoiding rotor strike. Also, the UFO-HeliThrusters design distance between the rotor disc and the thrust line of the engine is greater as well. Again, this increases safety by making it less prone to “tumble” (PPO) the gyro forward due to overly large control/throttle input combinations.
The UFO was first drawn in 1991, it took two years for the first prototypes to be constructed and flown, 1993.
They were flown as UFO’s in 1996. The first official flight took place in December 1997, and UFO’s were exported in the same year but remained a Southern Hemisphere phenomenon. One person initially built the UFO and every single part, and the quantity reflects that, there were 23 completed, 9 exported.
In July 2000 the decision was made to broadcast the UFO.
The UFO-HeliThruster has a large usable interior space, with a 1.1 meter (39 inches) of space available from on top of the seat to the cabin ceiling, and 1.2 meter (47 inches) of leg space from the back-rest of the seat to the pedals.
The UFO-HeliThruster’s performance has a climb rate at 1500 foot per minute. The UFO-HeliThruster can climb at 1500 foot per minute while maintaining a forward speed (TAS) of 90 miles per hour.
Designed by New Zealander’s Mac Gillespie and Geoff Price, UFO stands for Ultimate Flying Options. The first six were manufactured at Auckland, NZ. The test flying was carried out by Alf Crowe at Feilding, New Zealand.
The price for a complete kitset (2009) was NZ$63,000 or a factory prepared and Ready to Fly UFO-HeliThruster at NZ$75000.
The airframe is aeronautical aluminium, tig welded. Fiberglass/composite fuselage canopy. Fiberglass wheel pants. Fiberglass instrument panels. Controls are Dual Rudder and Throttle control and central Stick.
Standard equipment includes Electric Starter, ASI “0-160” mph, Mechanical Prerotator, Rotor Brake, Wheel Brakes, Steering, Wheel Pants, Altimeter, VSI, Compass Rotor Tach, and Hobbs.
UFO/PSRU-G
Engine: Subaru EJ25, 4 cylinders, 4-stroke, water-cooled, 165 hp
Displacement: 2500cc
Ignition: ECU Single Spark per cylinder
Reduction ratio: 2.3:1
Propeller: Composite 72-74 in 3-blade carbon fiber ground adjustable pitch
Rotor: 29-33ft two-blade, extruded aluminium.
Blade Cord: 8 1/2 in
Length: 13 ft 1.5 in / 4.000 m
Height: 10 ft 2 in / 3.100 m
Width: 7 ft 2.5 in / 2.200 m
Gross Weight: 1600 lb
Dry Weight: 950 lb
Payload: 650 lb
Fuel Capacity: 22 Imp.gal / 100 lt / 26 US gal
Unusable Fuel: 0.75 US gallon / 3 lt
Consumption: 3.75 US gph / 15 lt/hr
Top speed: 120 mph
Cruise speed: 100 mph
Never exceed (Vne): 150 mph
Takeoff distance: 50 to 150 ft
Landing distance: 50 ft
Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle: 100 ft
Climbing rate: 1,500 fpm
Service ceiling (est.): 10,000 ft
Range at cruise speed: 600 miles / 960 km
Endurance: 6 hours + 1/2 hour reserve
Rudder: 1.6 m high x 800 mm
Shoulder room: 1400mm / 55 in
Headroom: 1100mm / 43 in
Legroom: 1200mm /47 in
Cabin Width doors on: 1400mm / 55 in
Cabin Length: 1680mm / 66 in
Cabin Height: 1370mm / 54 in
All Aero 