Author Topic: Gloster Gambado  (Read 11648 times)

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Gloster Gambado
« on: June 01, 2015, 06:27:33 AM »
I've been waiting for this one to start!  I will be in with a 1/72 model of the largely forgotten Gloster Gambado (ɡamˈbādō, noun: a leap or bound, especially an exaggerated one).  The Gambado was a multipurpose combat autogiro designed for use in remote areas where airstrips are few and far between. I will be modelling one in use by an RAF detachment in either the Falklands (probably) or British Guiana in 1940. 

The Gambado was based on Gloster's Gladiator fighter, but used Cierva/Kellett rotor technology. 
Progress will be slow until I finish my EB-66F for the Extended Service Life GB.  But later today or tomorrow I will post photos of my starting point(s). 

AND, before anyone objects that autogiros are not really VTO, take a look at this fun video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsDQ9avFtng

Chuck

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2015, 02:04:04 PM »
Here are the two starting points for my build:

The rotor assembly comes from the HobbyBoss Mi-2URN Hoplite which provided the fuselage for my SK-1 Malt

Offline Tophe

  • He sees things in double...
  • twin-boom & asymmetric fan
    • my models
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2015, 11:48:32 PM »
Your project is very interesting, but I don't understand the "autogiro" name of the YouTube film you directed to (for "jump take off"of the PA-36): without forward speed at all, the rotor is rotating, which means it is driven and thus this is a helicopter.
See definition of autogyro at http://www.thefreedictionary.com/autogyro :
autogyro - an aircraft that is supported in flight by unpowered rotating horizontal wings (or blades); forward propulsion is provided by a conventional propeller
But your one will be very welcome as STOL, let you dream and dream again, welcome! ;)

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2015, 12:17:56 AM »
Hi Tophe,

The Pa-36 (along with the Kellett autogiros) was indeed an autogiro, but it had the ability to use the motor to spin up the rotor on the ground - once the rotor reached the appropriate speed, the pilot would set the collective pitch to provide lift, and the autogiro would leap into the air (gambado!).  Then, the propeller would be clutched in, and the rotor would free-spin like any ordinary autogiro for the rest of the flight.  That's what the PA-36 was demonstrating in the video.  Hope that's clearer...

Chuck

Offline jcf

  • Global Moderator
  • Turn that Gila-copter down!
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2015, 12:44:22 AM »
Your description is correct for the Kellet models with a jump-start system but not quite for the Pitcairn.

Unlike the manual Kellet system, Pitcairn used an automatic hydraulic system which
held the blades in zero pitch while being spun up, declutching the spin-up drive also
released the hydraulic pressure which caused the blades to move outwards on threaded
spindles due to centripetal force and rotate to 4.75º, thus pulling the aircraft into the air.
The PA36 version used a two-speed drive that used part of the engine power to drive the
propeller at the same time as the spin-up drive, when the spin-up drive was de-clutched
full power was applied to the prop via a higher speed gear.

Interestingly the later Kellets had full pitch and collective control rotors making them very
close to helicopters. The tail-dragger Kellet jump-start machines evidently also had a habit
of jumping backwards before going forward.
 ;D

BTW Pitcairn first dabbled with tip-jet drive in the mid-1920s ...  :icon_fsm:
« Last Edit: June 02, 2015, 12:48:50 AM by jcf »
“Conspiracy theory’s got to be simple.
Sense doesn’t come into it. People are
more scared of how complicated shit
actually is than they ever are about
whatever’s supposed to be behind the
conspiracy.”
-The Peripheral, William Gibson 2014

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2015, 01:03:48 AM »
Thanks for the tech correction, JCF!  I hadn't realized that Pitcairn used a different system from Kellett.  Sounds a little complicated, but perhaps overall safer than the Kellett system.  Nevertheless, I am planning a Kellett system for the Gambado, although you'll really only be able to tell from the back story (unless you are a rotary-wing expert like JCF)

Offline jcf

  • Global Moderator
  • Turn that Gila-copter down!
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2015, 01:20:01 AM »
Either is preferable to the Cierva system which was only usable with a two-bladed rotor.

I'm not an expert, although I did work on S-61s ;), I just have an interest and some books
on the subject including Peter W. Brooks Cierva Autogiros: The Development of Rotary-Wing Flight,
an excellent book.
“Conspiracy theory’s got to be simple.
Sense doesn’t come into it. People are
more scared of how complicated shit
actually is than they ever are about
whatever’s supposed to be behind the
conspiracy.”
-The Peripheral, William Gibson 2014

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2015, 01:29:59 AM »
Well, that still puts you several steps ahead of me.  I understand fixed-wing flight well (Masters in Aeronautical Science), but when it comes to rotary-wing, I am of the "Helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission" school. 

Offline Tophe

  • He sees things in double...
  • twin-boom & asymmetric fan
    • my models
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2015, 01:39:49 AM »
Thanks for all these explanations concerning intermediate cases between genuine helicopters and genuine autogyros. And glory to the forthcoming Gambado, either way it will be perfect I am sure! ;)

Online GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2015, 02:46:55 AM »
but when it comes to rotary-wing, I am of the "Helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission" school.

No they don't...the Earth repels them ;)
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2015, 02:43:45 PM »
Finally got a start on the Gambado.  The lower wing was shortened and given upturned tips, whilst the upper wing was dispensed with altogether.  In its place a rotor mount pylon was fashioned from scratch.  The rotor assembly is also complete and ready to be mounted on the pylon.  The photo below is not great, but should perhaps give you the idea of where I am going with this.  Enjoy!

Chuck

Offline Modelling_Mushi

  • Moderator
    • Ishmael A Soleded Author
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2015, 07:49:23 PM »
Looking like an autogyro already Chuck.  :)
Were going to be finished in 2020 BEFORE I start any da*!#d new ones - Maybe When Hell Freezes Over - again? - CF-IDS Wolverine; Douglas Mawson; Bubba Wants a Fishin' Rig; NA F-100

Against the Wall - Maton Dreadnought; Fender Telecaster; Epiphone Les Paul Stud

Offline taiidantomcat

  • Plastic Origamist...and not too shabby with the painting either!
  • Moderator
  • Stylishly late...because he was reading comics
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2015, 10:02:05 PM »
Very nice!!
"They know you can do anything, So the question is, what don't you do?"

-David Fincher

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Gloster Gambado - Complete!
« Reply #13 on: June 20, 2015, 11:23:28 AM »
With the anticipated success of the Avro Rota as a “light” army cooperation aircraft, the Air Ministry issued a specification for a heavier, armed rotary–wing multi-purpose combat aircraft under specification A.13/37.  This specification called for a single-seat aircraft with an armament of four .303 inch machine guns and the ability to operate from small, austere sites in the British colonial outposts with little or no ground support. 
The winner of the competition was Gloster with their Gambado autogiro.  Gloster licensed the rotor system design from U.S. manufacturer Kellett, and based their airframe on their own Gladiator fighter, production.  The first A.13/37 prototype utilized the last airframe off the Gladiator assembly line, to which was fitted a Kellett-built rotor system.  This system was a modified and strengthened version of the one Kellett had designed for their successful KD-1 autogiro.  The Gambado’s maximum takeoff weight was slightly more than double that of the KD-1, its 830 hp Bristol Mercury produced well over twice the power, the Gambado’s rotor system needed to be significantly stronger than that of the KD-1.  At the time of its first flight, the A.13/37 was the most powerful rotary-winged aircraft in the world. 
The Air Ministry ordered 180 of the A.13/37, which they christened the Gambado Mk. I.  Intended as a support aircraft for colonial forces, the Gambados were mostly distributed to overseas RAF squadrons in India, Iraq, Singapore, and Hong Kong.  A detachment of Gambados was sent to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands in mid-1939 to help blunt an expected invasion from Argentina.   N5583 was one of 10 Gambados sent to the Falklands as part of a defense package along with 6 Vickers Wellesleys, 5 Hurricane Mk Is, and 5 Hawker Hardies.  The Gambados had all come from India, where the hot weather and high altitude had limited their effectiveness; but it was felt that the low elevations and cool weather in the South Atlantic would allow the Gambados to shine. 
All the Falklands aircraft were repainted in a locally developed camouflage scheme consisting of dark slate grey and olive green over light grey.  Each aircraft carried a large yellow “F” mid-fuselage as a recognition marking, although this was probably unnecessary on the Gambado, as there was zero possibility of an enemy rotorcraft! 

The model began as a 1/72 Airfix Gladiator II/J-8A.  The rotor system was from a HobbyBoss 1/72 Mil Mi-2URN Hoplite.  The rotor pylon was scratchbuilt from sheet styrene, the support struts from Evergreen strip and the rotor drive shaft was sprue, while the rotor control rod was Evergreen styrene rod.  The two greys were from Testors Model Master rattle cans, all other paint colors are hand-brushed Vallejo acrylics.  I added a light weathering of Testors CreateFX wash.  The decals are a combination of kit decals from the Gladiator and others from the spares bin. 
Hope you like it – I do!

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #14 on: June 20, 2015, 11:24:11 AM »
One more Gambado photo...

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #15 on: June 20, 2015, 03:43:48 PM »
What a novel idea and great construction. Very nice indeed!  :-* :)
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Online GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #16 on: June 21, 2015, 03:27:32 AM »
 :)
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Weaver

  • Skyhawk stealer and violator of Panthers, with designs on a Cougar and a Tiger too
  • Chaos Engineer & Evangelistic Agnostic
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #17 on: June 21, 2015, 09:30:47 AM »
Splendid idea: looks great!  :)
"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides

"I've jazzed mine up a bit" - Spike Milligan

"I'm a general specialist," - Harry Purvis in Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke

Twitter: @hws5mp
Minds.com: @HaroldWeaverSmith

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #18 on: June 21, 2015, 10:10:50 AM »
Thanks, guys! ;D

Offline Tophe

  • He sees things in double...
  • twin-boom & asymmetric fan
    • my models
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #19 on: June 21, 2015, 03:21:39 PM »
One more Gambado photo...
Very lovely! and very true (secret) I am very sure! ;) :-*

Offline taiidantomcat

  • Plastic Origamist...and not too shabby with the painting either!
  • Moderator
  • Stylishly late...because he was reading comics
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #20 on: June 25, 2015, 04:43:22 AM »
Excellent work!  :)
"They know you can do anything, So the question is, what don't you do?"

-David Fincher

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #21 on: July 03, 2015, 12:42:27 PM »
I like it! It has all the hallmarks of the 30s giros - nice under-rotor fairing, cute upturned wings, a radial upfront...nice work!
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

Offline apophenia

  • Perversely enjoys removing backgrounds.
  • Patterns? What patterns?
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #22 on: July 12, 2015, 11:25:21 AM »
... It has all the hallmarks of the 30s giros - nice under-rotor fairing, cute upturned wings, a radial upfront...nice work!

That was my thought too. Excellent concept and execution!  :)
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #23 on: July 12, 2015, 01:14:45 PM »
Thanks, ya'll!

Offline finsrin

  • The Dr Frankenstein of the modelling world...when not hiding from SBA
  • Finds part glues it on, finds part glues it on....
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #24 on: July 13, 2015, 09:36:03 AM »
What a novel idea and great construction. Very nice indeed!  :-* :)

Ditto on above and all following statements. 
I'm with all the guys on novel nature of Gloster Gambado :)

Offline Steve Blazo

  • The man likes white plastic...weird.
    • flickr
Re: Gloster Gambado
« Reply #25 on: August 04, 2015, 05:11:56 AM »
Unique for sure, nice looking build.
As I walk through the valley of death,
I have no fear, because I am the meanest mother*ucker in the whole valley.
- Gen. George S. Patton