CIERVA CENTENARY

The Centenary of the first successful flight of the Cierva C.4 autogyro, built by Spanish aviation pioneer Juan de la Cierva, almost passed us by had it not been for an email sent to us by Santiago de Blas Larramendi. In his message Santiago informed us of a model diorama dedicated to this important milestone in aviation built from recycled materials and which is currently on display in the window of his art studio, DeBlas - Estudio de Arte, in Getafe, Spain.

Santiago writes:

In Getafe, the cradle of Juan de la Cierva’s Autogyro, soon after the Centenary (9th January 1923), ‘De Blas- Estudio de Arte’ presents a tribute to the Autogyro and Juan de la Cierva with a scale Playmobil model made using recycled materials. What is it made with?

Blades - Gel bottle

Wheels - Wine carton caps

Wheel support - Clothes hanger

Structure - Ikea cardboard and coffee sticks

Main rotor motor - HP printer motor

Visible engine - VHS VCR motor

The main blades move. We know that originally

SLINGSBY T.30

Sarik Hobbies are continuing their RCM&E readers’ wood pack offers by giving a generous 10% discount on the wood packs that they have prepared for Chris William’s Slingsby T.30 Prefect scale glider, the first part of which is featured in this issue.

set by the position of the wing tubes in the inboard ribs. However, to save anybody else from searching for the missing template, a sketch is provided here.

Jim says: “That’s annoying. I remember writing that part of the instructions at the same time as drawing the plan, before the penny dropped that I wouldn’t need a template as long as the root rob was set perpendicular to the aluminium tubes, but I should have spotted the section was still in the instructions. I’ve measured the plans and a scrap of wood with an 87-degree angle in one corner will do the job. It’s two ways of skinning the same cat but I can see

87° BUILDING BOARD

why some people would prefer to set the rib with a template and it’s probably better to give them that option, especially as that’s what the instructions will say for any future builders.” the upper blades moved only by the action of the wind to support the gyroplane, but we have put a motor on them to make them more spectacular when stationary, since our model does not fly.

We created the plans from scratch, generated templates, searched for useful materials, adapted and assembled them to create this non-flying replica, even though the blades move. But I wish it had a better paint finish.

This diorama can be enjoyed in our shop window, located in Madrid, Getafe, Calle Lártiga 2, corner Calle Leganes. There we teach Industrial Design classes for adults and children, among other disciplines. We make our own toys, as well as enjoy our own world of illusion created for Playmobil. Find us on Facebook: https://fb.watch/ ixNUaQMQEg/

Many thanks for sending us details of your recycled autogyro model Santiago. And thanks also for reminding us of the important first flight of a Cierva designed autogyro

We are sure that there are several R/C scale models of Cierva aircraft, and the associated Avro and de Havilland based designs, so why not send us some details and a picture or two if you are the proud owner/builder of an appropriate R/C scale model autogyro.

Please visit the Prefect page of the Sarik Hobbies website: https://www.sarikhobbies. com/product/slingsby-type-30-prefect-90-55/ Since the wood packs will not be ready until the second part of the Prefect plans are published in the August issue, please bookmark this link and revisit to take advantage of the offer when available.