Video: Homemade Chinese autogyro

The "shanzhai huaxiangji" is a homemade autogyro created by a Chinese farmer. Kottke said there was so doubt as to whether or not this was a real creation, but unless someone is going through a lot of trouble to create a hoax, this video would imply that it's the real deal. Now I hope someone make a kit version!

[#1 posted by Different Computers , June 30, 2008 8:09 AM]

Maybe I'm misremembering or not understanding what I'm seeing, but I thought it was impossible for an autogyro to hover.

It sure looks like this one is hovering. Which would mean that either it is really a helicopter, or really a fake.

I also note that while sitting still on the ground, the main rotors are turning, another indication that it might be a copter.

[#2 posted by Shannon , June 30, 2008 8:34 AM]

There are lots and lots of gyroplane kits and plans out there, and tons of homebuilt ones all around the world.

http://www.gyroplanepassion.com/TheGyros.html
etc...

I'm actually far more impressed by the Nigerian helicopter made out of junk that did the blog rounds last October.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/homemade-helicopter/nigerian-man-builds-working-helicopters-from-junk-313408.php

[#3 posted by Secret_Life_of_Plants , June 30, 2008 3:38 PM]

When I was a kid there was a punk band called "Vic Morrow's Head". The suggestion that a "kit version" of this product be developed reminded me of that fact.

[#4 posted by eustace , June 30, 2008 7:22 PM]

When a pilot is going to take off in an autogyro, he first prerotates the wing - sometimes just by hand, sometimes with power. Then he STOPS powering the wing, and starts moving forward so the motion of the air over the wing will keep it spinning.
Autogyros can hover by flying into the wind, as long as the wind is between certain speeds!