Wallis Autogyro details?

[MerlinJones]

I'm currently building both versions of this kit and, because it's in such a large scale, I feel compelled to ensure as much detail is included as is possible (for me).

Nice, clear, on-line photo's are somewhat scarce.
The 'Little Nellie' version has a lot hidden by the fairing and various ordnance.
The Army open-frame version, however, is somewhat nekkid.

I know a lot of the wires, pipes and cables took advantage of the hollow tube framework, but does anyone have a decent pic of the instrument panel, the rear in particular?

On the kit, there is also a second hole emerging from the top of the engine unit. This looks as if it should have something attached, but my instructions show nothing. Is this a hole in real life? (I know about the central intake pipe and it isn't this).

There is also a moulded piece, supposed to represent a pipe of some sort. This appears to connect the rotor head to a part of the engine. This 'part' is unclear. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Bruce

[cosmosman]

Though the rotor head was free wheeling, so no connection to engine.

[sloegin57]

Couple of shots of "Little Nell" at Old Warden May 76 just "beamed" over. Can't immediately lay my hands on any more detail - although as I now recall, there were a couple of cutaways published in, I believe, Flight many moons ago.

[MerlinJones]

cosmosman said:

Though the rotor head was free wheeling, so no connection to engine.

I'd assumed it would be an oil pipe, for lubrication.
It's on the kit, so it must be true!

Any detail pics would help, so ta!

Regards,
Bruce

[cosmosman]

Just found a good picture on Wikipedia and it shows a black tube about 35mm thick running from the rotor head to the engine.

[alfie]

These blueprints might help:

www.the-blueprints.com/index.php?blueprints/modernplanes/modern-uvw/15544/view/

Alfie

[MerlinJones]

Ooooh Alfie! You tease!
Those 'blueprints' are not blueprints. They are a direct scan of the Little Nellie scheme, found on the Airfix instruction sheet.

Thanks anyway.

Regards,
Bruce

[alfie]

merlinjones said:

Ooooh Alfie! You tease!
Those 'blueprints' are not blueprints. They are a direct scan of the Little Nellie scheme, found on the Airfix instruction sheet.

Thanks anyway.

Regards,
Bruce

Oops!

I'll have a furtle in my Airfix magazines. I'm sure that they did a feature when the kit was first released.

Alfie

[alfie]

Okay...courtesy of Mr Jeremy Hall of the Ruttles Branch...







Copyright is Jeremy's

Alfie

[MikeC]

You may also wish to get in touch with the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, which I can thoroughly recommend having visited it recently.

www.aviationmuseum.net/

They have associations with Wg Cdr Wallace, and may perhaps be prepared to provide some information - an enquiry couldn't hurt.

[bluesteel27]

For all things Wallis and Autogyro:

www.gyroplanepassion.com/Ken_Wallis.html

I used to meet him quite regularly back in the 1980's as he was very good at attending many charity events I used to help organise, he used to roll up in his Rolls Royce with 'Little Nellie' on a trailer behind. Very interesting to talk with and gave excellent presentations too. Indeed and an all round Top Bloke.

Julian