La Cierva C-6
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La Cierva C-6 was the sixth autogyro constructed by engineer Juan de la Cierva, and the first one to travel a "major" distance.
Mr Juan de la Cierva, the engineer responsible for the invention of the autogyro, spent all his funds in the research and creation of his first five prototypes. Threrefore, in 1923, he turned to Cuatro Vientos Aerodynamics Laboratory chief, commander Emilio Herrera, who succeded in persuading general Francisco Echagüe, the director of the Military Aviation Aeronutics Department, to take over the second stage in the research and development of La Cierva's Autogyros.
After several wind tunnel tests, Military Aviation built autogyro La Cierva C-6 in an Avro 504 frame. This machine, piloted by captain Joaquín Loriga Taboada, performed three flights, all of them in March 1924. One of those flights, the eight minute trip from Cuatro Vientos airfield to Getafe airfield (10.5 km / 7 miles), was considered a giant's step and the "leap into glory" of La Cierva's autogyros.
La Cierva C-6 Proptotype was fitted with ailerons mounted in two small size wings, elevators and rudder. This complete three axis control scheme was needed because the pilot had only limited control over the rotor (See Helicopter rotor).
Only the front propeller was powered, therefore this aircraft could not hover, and could lose control at low airspeed. The vertical axis rotor spinned freely, and the faster the autogyro flew, the faster the rotor spinned, and the greater lift it produced.
Later La Cierva autogyros had a powered vertical axis rotor (only at low airspeed), which enabled them to hover in a helicopter-like fashion
A replica of La Cierva C-6 was built to be shown in Murcia pavilion in Seville Expo '92 World's Fair. Nowadays that replica can be admired in Museo del Aire, Cuatro Vientos, Madrid, Spain.
[edit] Technical characteristics, La Cierva C-6
- La Cierva C-6 100 km/h (54 knots)
- La Cierva C-6 bis 108 km/h (58.3 knots)
- Crew: 1 or 2 men
- Rotor Diameter:
- La Cierva C-6 10 m (32.8 ft)
- La Cierva C-6 bis 11 m (36 ft)
- Fuse Length: 9 m (29.5 ft)
- Maximum weight: 900 kg (1984 lb)
- Engine: Le Rhone 9J, a rotary 9-cylinder 110 hp engine; with a two-bladed propeller
[edit] References
Original pictures and data of this article were taken from "Museo del Aire", Cuatro Vientos, Madrid, Spain
[edit] See also
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