Collective/Swashplate Animation

[VampireNZ]

Hopefully such an obvious error with regards to the workings of the collective and swashplate on the current model have been identified, and are in the process of being rectified!

I won't lie in that it concernes me a lot regarding the realism goals for the Huey when such a blatant mistake is made - as if an actual Huey was never even referenced when creating the model...:huh: Yes I know it's Beta, but why model it incorrectly?

 

Not sure if/how often Belsimtek monitor these threads, in any case I will post these here for a good 'reference' - and a brief overview for anyone interested...feel free to ask any Q's. :thumbup:

 

 

So in a nutshell - The swashplate base is bolted down, doesn't move vertically at all, the tri-arm piece pivots with cyclic inputs but doesn't rotate, and the round upper half of the swashplate rotates with the head and transmits cyclic movement to the mixer.

The collective sleeve (28 above) actually gets moved up and down inside the rotating swashplate assy by the collective arms (44), which are connected to the collective lever at 49/50, via the central linkage spigots (45). Hence the dustboot (20) to protect the splines on the mast.

 

 

Now because these arms (35) are bolted to the rotating but vertically stationary upper swashplate at one end via (22), any vertical movement via the collective sleeve thru bolt (9) above, will transfer into a leverage output at the other free end of (35) that outputs the cyclic forces as well up to the blades - but it moves both equally resulting in a 'collective' increase in blade angle. You can see also the bearings inside the collective sleeve collar (59) that enables it to rotate around the stationary but vertically moving collective sleeve (60), taking the two arms (35) with it. You can see our upper spline guide at (47) that the sleeve rides on.

 

Phew - that should cover it - hopefully we see it modelled and animated like this in the final release :thumbup: Don't let this post fool you thou - am loving the Huey so far, very nice given it's current 'Beta' status!

Edited October 22, 2013 by VampireNZ

[jay43]

I tried to say this months ago but got shot down by everyone saying i was wrong granted i didn't go into the detail that you did very nice.

[VampireNZ]

I would be fairly amused at any attempts to 'shoot me down and tell me I am wrong', given that before I went flt crew I used to build up all the rotary components of our Hueys in the Rotary Component Bay in AKL including the main hubs, tail rotors etc, and also fitted them to the choppers when I moved on to overhauling the frames down at Blenheim (when we used to do that).

 

I guess that given how cool (read complicated) a helicopters rotor head is etc (even a super-basic Huey head), and how vital it is to the whole concept of rotary wing flight I feel it is important to get stuff like this right.

To me with the way it is now, it is like having an F-14's wings swing forwards instead of backwards if you get my drift :(

Edited October 22, 2013 by VampireNZ

[jay43]

I would be fairly amused an any attempts to 'shoot me down and tell me I am wrong', given that before I went flt crew I used to build up all the rotary components of our Hueys in the Rotary Component Bay in AKL including the main hubs, tail rotors etc, and also fitted them to the choppers when I moved on to overhauling the frames down at Blenheim (when we used to do that).

 

I guess that given how cool (read complicated) a helicopters rotor head is etc (even a super-basic Huey head), and how vital it is to the whole concept of rotary wing flight I feel it is important to get stuff like this right.

To me with the way it is now, it is like having an F-14's wings swing forwards instead of backwards if you get my drift :(

 

Nice i get ya Vampire like it very much and i bet no one chimes in and says you're wrong.

 

Actually you maybe interested in this http://1stcavdiv.conceptbb.com/ we are always looking for new recruits for C company which are all from Oz or Nz.

[VampireNZ]

Actually you maybe interested in this http://1stcavdiv.conceptbb.com/ we are always looking for new recruits for C company which are all from Oz or Nz.

 

Hey thanks Jay, will check it out. Only just grabbed the Huey a week or so ago so slowly building my hours up, but def looking for a group to fly with. :beer:

 

Edit: Thought it would round out this nicely to post this excellent picture of the assembled head that clearly shows the swashplate assy bolted to the top of the transmission, along with the other attaching controls (see the collective sleeve inside the swashplate base).

A specific point of note for Belsimtek as well - note the swashplate is tilted to what I would consider near max deflection, however the main rotor hub and grips are still horizontal....

 

 

Have fun - fly safe!

Edited October 23, 2013 by VampireNZ

[EvilBivol-1]

Thanks for the info. Yes, we did see this come up and have forwarded the error to the modeler.

 

I won't lie in that it concernes me a lot regarding the realism goals for the Huey when such a blatant mistake is made - as if an actual Huey was never even referenced when creating the model... Yes I know it's Beta, but why model it incorrectly?

Actually we had substantial support from a number of "on location" Huey SMEs. A couple of examples that have been mentioned on the forums previously:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1742176&postcount=28

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1758568&postcount=43

 

Ultimately however unless the developers are themselves expert in the particular aircraft being modeled, which obviously isn't possible in every case, such errors may occur here and there. One of the benefits of the open beta, though, is just this situation where we have more time and room to find and fix them based on user feedback.

[VampireNZ]

Great news EvilBivol, is reassuring to know you guys are monitoring the threads and are willing to correct these little mishaps.

 

And apologies, I realise that that the modellers may not have extensive experience with the aircraft they are modelling, and may miss certain aspects like the inner workings of a Huey rotorhead....which isn't exactly the most easiest thing to deciper in it's exact movements!

 

But like I said after working on them and building them up it was just really noticeable for me, but I am sure it will look great after a little fettling.

 

Let me know if you need any more info/ref material for any Huey components or systems. :thumbup:

[Krebs20]

I spent some time last night shorting and editing up the movies taken for the rotor head. I hope to finish it tonight. If you see something missing from it. Please submit what you believe will help. The mast is a very complicated piece of engineering. Sometimes when you look at the big picture. Little things don't stand out to individuals.

 

I no longer work on the airframe. If you don't mind, can you pm me your place of work? I am missing working on rotorcraft.

[VampireNZ]

Hiya Krebs,

 

Great to hear, looking forward to seeing the updated head in action.

 

 

Yea I totally understand, how a Huey main rotor operates in entirety is not easily apparent at first glance.

 

Happy to help in any way I can, and PM sent.

[Krebs20]

${1}

 

Here is a very small sample of some uploaded information.

 

And incase I failed the viewer, here is a link