Discussion for article #235360
Gyrocopters were all the rage in “Popular Mechanics” 50 years ago, even appearing in a least one James Bond film.
The concept is much older, predating WW II. The Germans experimented with towing one after a (surfaced) submarine as an observation platform during WWII, it seemed like a good idea at the time, but the requirement for fast diving reduced the attraction. Gyrocopters can’t take off vertically, they will need a bit of runway, but they can land in very short spaces. It is a very cost-efficient way to make an airborne vehicle.
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How is it possible that a high government official has seen neither “You Only Live Twice” nor “Mad Max: The Road Warrior?” I mean, I’m not saying it should be like a qualification, or anything, but I’m just amazed that people my age exist who haven’t seen either of them.
*No idea why this posted as a reply to ClausCPH. Sorry about that.
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I just wanna say for the record, that gyrocopter was waaaaayyyy cool and I want one.
Like R. Maddow said last night, the news will continue to report on this man invading capital airspace with hair-on-fire hysteria, but refuse to address the elephant in the room for which the man was protesting: Campaign Finance Reform. She showed how over 90% of Americans polled believe money in politics is a problem that’s destroying Democracy, and over 90% don’t believe anything or anyone will do anything to change it. You cannot get 90% of Americans to agree on anything anymore…except THAT.
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My question is why the JLENS blimp over Aberdeen Proving Ground didn’t pick this up? JLENS is designed to pick up low altitude flying cruise missiles which are generally about the same size as this gyrocopter…FAIL
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EXACTLY! This is such a silly article. Who, but the nerds, knows what a gyrocopter is? Because they look like the heros on a kids movie made a helicopter out of a lawnmower engine, a ceiling fan and a stationary bike. The bigger problem is that (like in the kids movie) it worked. It flew from FL to the Capitol building. So obviously DHS has no idea how to do its job so lets eliminate that department- along with the CIA because they haven’t gotten one right in 60 years and we have CNN- and use that money to finance federal elections.
Perhaps the blimp wasn’t flying? or maybe the system is designed to pick up objects moving at 100+ mph, so it won’t be picking up all the cars on the freeways around DC. The gyrocopter might get up to 40 mph with a tail wind.
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Very unlikely it flew from Florida to DC. The model in the photo doesn’t have the gas tanks needed for that kind of trip - especially at the slow speed a Gyrocopter like that flies. More likely he trailered it to the DC area or just outside of DC, then took off and flew it into the white house lawn.
As to dumping DHS and/or the CIA, HELL YES!
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We need to send an open letter of thanks to Mr. Hughes. This shit just gets more and more hilarious whenever anyone decides to open their yap and talk about it.
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I want one now.
In other news, everyone should lighten the fuck up. This guy was just trying to draw attention to an important issue. Lacking the gazillion dollars the Koch Bros. et al have to pay for lobbyists and tv ads, I think it was a pretty good plan.
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This should be good for the gyrocopter business.
Just so you know:
There is no power to the long blades on top. The motor turns a prop that pushes the gyrocopter forward. Air passing the long blades causes them to spin which creates lift. Wanted to build one back when I was in high school in the mid 60’s.
Here is a little hint for ya: "007"