Wing Commander Wallis is truly a very great man! With this variant of the WA116/7 he very cleverly has raised the pilot in effect lowering the thrust line of the ship without moving the 72HP two stroke engine. By eliminating the streamlined forward pod, that is much less noticeable and provides a lower polar moment of inertia. Also there's an increased area rudder to further harness the anti-rotational effect of the prop wash to counter torque roll without an additional horizontal stabilizer.
@tchick: Yes you are correct and I am aware of that. I noticed there is a vestigial horizontal stabilizer on some of the Gyro's in the "hangar." Why do you suppose he hasn't applied it to this variant?
Amazing guy! I saw Little Nellie fly many years ago when it did a promotional tour for the film and visited our town. I clearly remember Wallis swooping down over the crowd and firing those guns! (we were actually disappointed that it wasn't Sean Connery!). I'd love to fly one someday, just the once!
I remember seeing this about 20 years ago on TV--even videotaped it, though I don't have it anymore. Have been interested in gyro flight ever since, thanks to Ken Wallis. Anyone know the name or design of that gyro he's flying . . . some sort of modified Bensen design?
The prop seems to be aligned at about the middle of his back . . .looks close to a CLT machine. I don't know whether CLT was even regarded as important back then (or the term itself was even used). Anyway it's a very clean and compact looking design---something about it appeals to me more than the more current designs I've seen. Didn't see a HS on it though.
Wing Commander Wallis is truly a very great man! With this variant of the WA116/7 he very cleverly has raised the pilot in effect lowering the thrust line of the ship without moving the 72HP two stroke engine. By eliminating the streamlined forward pod, that is much less noticeable and provides a lower polar moment of inertia. Also there's an increased area rudder to further harness the anti-rotational effect of the prop wash to counter torque roll without an additional horizontal stabilizer.
paullubliner 5 months ago
@paullubliner Eliminating torque roll isn't the only thing a horizontal stabilizer is used for. It's main purpose is pitch stability.
tchick 5 months ago
@tchick: Yes you are correct and I am aware of that. I noticed there is a vestigial horizontal stabilizer on some of the Gyro's in the "hangar." Why do you suppose he hasn't applied it to this variant?
paullubliner 5 months ago
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paullubliner 5 months ago
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paullubliner 5 months ago
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paullubliner 5 months ago
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paullubliner 5 months ago
my grandad met him a few months ago when he and a few others were given a tour of his manor and the hangers!
metalmader 1 year ago
i love crazy people
grubeci 2 years ago
Amazing guy! I saw Little Nellie fly many years ago when it did a promotional tour for the film and visited our town. I clearly remember Wallis swooping down over the crowd and firing those guns! (we were actually disappointed that it wasn't Sean Connery!). I'd love to fly one someday, just the once!
RushiesBoots 3 years ago 2
I remember seeing this about 20 years ago on TV--even videotaped it, though I don't have it anymore. Have been interested in gyro flight ever since, thanks to Ken Wallis. Anyone know the name or design of that gyro he's flying . . . some sort of modified Bensen design?
gamr4life 3 years ago
It's his own design. He designs and builds them himself. He's in his 90's and still flies.
tchick 3 years ago
The prop seems to be aligned at about the middle of his back . . .looks close to a CLT machine. I don't know whether CLT was even regarded as important back then (or the term itself was even used). Anyway it's a very clean and compact looking design---something about it appeals to me more than the more current designs I've seen. Didn't see a HS on it though.
gamr4life 3 years ago
That is awesome!!!!!!! I want one!
cannonballs26 4 years ago
i really want to buy one of these things one day and learn how to pilot it really well
sweetshakti 4 years ago
what a star! I hope I'm as sorted as he is when I get to 85.
adamxmada 4 years ago
It's like a flying motorcycle.
Boilfree 4 years ago
I would love to go to work on one of those.
Boilfree 4 years ago
Muito Bom, do amigo Kem Wallis
marioberardo 4 years ago